There is no requirement to post this notice on the Environmental Registry of Ontario, but we want to hear your thoughts. Submit a comment and tell us what you think. Learn about the consultation process and types of notices on the registry.
Update Announcement
A decision for this proposal has been published as a Bulletin under ERO 019-2336 on September 8, 2020.
This consultation was open from:
May 29, 2020
to June 28, 2020
Proposal summary
The province is proposing government response statements that outline actions the government is taking and supports to protect and recover nine species at risk in Ontario: Blanding’s Turtle, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Little Brown Myotis, Northern Bobwhite, Northern Myotis, Spiny Softshell, Spotted Turtle, Tri-colored Bat and White Wood Aster.
Why consultation isn't required
On April 1, 2020, the Ontario Government made a temporary regulation to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ontario Regulation 115/20 exempts all proposals for policies, acts, regulations and instruments from posting requirements under the EBR until 30 days after the declared emergency is terminated.
Proposal details
Description of policy
Ontario provides stringent protections for species at risk and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act. This commitment to conserve the province’s rich biodiversity by protecting and recovering species at risk and their habitats is also part of the government’s Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, which provides a roadmap to protecting the province’s land, air and water.
Species at risk in Ontario
In Ontario, once a species is listed as endangered or threatened, there is a process for gathering information and developing policy guidance to support the protection and recovery of each species.
First, the province engages external individuals and organizations with expertise on the species to prepare recovery strategies. These documents form the foundation of scientific advice and can include knowledge from:
- the public
- stakeholders
- Indigenous communities and organizations
Once recovery strategies are finalized, the province develops a government response statement for each recovery strategy. The government response statement is a species-specific policy that identifies and prioritizes the actions the government intends to lead and support to protect and recover these species.
Learn more about species at risk in Ontario.
Proposed government response statements
We are proposing government response statements in relation to recovery strategies for the following nine species:
- Blanding’s Turtle
- Eastern Whip-poor-will
- Northern Bobwhite
- Spiny Softshell (a turtle)
- Spotted Turtle
- Three bat species: Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, Tri-colored Bat
- White Wood Aster
The recovery strategies for all nine species were finalized on December 5, 2019 and are available on Ontario’s Species at Risk website.
Purpose of policy
The proposed policies (government response statements) provide species-specific direction on the actions the government intends to lead and support in the protection and recovery of the nine species at risk.
The purpose of this notice is to:
- inform the public that draft government response statements have been prepared
- seek feedback on the draft documents
The province will consider comments as we finalize the government response statements. Please reference Environmental Registry number 019-1749 in your comments.
Other information
Ontario Recovery Strategies:
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
Connect with us
Contact
Leanne Jennings
300 Water Street
North tower, 5th floor
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
The comment period was from May 29, 2020
to June 28, 2020