Please enact regulations NOW…

Please enact regulations NOW to protect the black ash endangered species. The delay in action on protecting this tree species is very telling to what the priorities of the current government are - to downplay the protection of a vibrant and healthy environment in Ontario for current and future citizens. Black ash is an important tree species that is essential for biodiversity in our imperilled ecological base - here and elsewhere.

Two years have already passed in the suspension of protection for the species and no further exemptions should be made. Adequate time for research to provide for its protection while also permitting sustainable development for human activity has already come and gone.

To summarize the reasons why the black ash species should be given regulation protection NOW, I'd like to reference a blog post by Ontario Nature on October 26, 2021, "Ten Reasons to Demand Immediate Protection for Endangered Black Ash" https://ontarionature.org/black-ash-protection-blog/

I'd encourage the government to show some leadership on this important matter NOW, and not delay further protective actions.