Dear Public Input…

Dear Public Input Coordinator,

Re:Amendments of . The terms of reference set for the advisory panel must clearly articulate the fulfillment of the ESA’s purpose through any recommended approaches or pilot projects. What needs to be demonstrated is how forestry operations are contributing to the protection and restoration of species at risk.

The EBR Registry Notice further states that during a continued exemption, Ontario will “explore the use of conservation agreements for caribou under the federal Species at Risk Act and to evaluate their potential use in an Ontario context.” Until the Ministry begins implementing its own ESA consistent with the spirit and intent of its own Act, we have reservations about and do not support a process where Ontario may attempt to codify the status quo in conservation agreements with the federal government.

As we have stated on numerous occasions and in several submissions to the Ontario government, Wildlands League is very much opposed to the continued use of exemptions for forestry operations. If the exemption is extended, for the sake of Ontario’s species at risk, this must be the last one.

[Original Comment ID: 213208]