The proposed amendments to…

The proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act regarding Redside Dace, Butternut trees, and all other species at risk should not be approved of. Endangered species are considered as such because they are threatened by extinction-- as in, without proper protection, these species may cease to exist. The proposed amendments will inadequately protect species at risk and may even hinder the recovery of their populations, and should therefore not be heeded.

It should be said that I am a young person with a passion for nature and a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. I and many others in my generation are deeply concerned over the state of environmental protection legislation in Canada. We strongly believe in the protection and preservation of nature and will not stand for amendments such as these proposed by the current provincial government which demonstrate such disregard for wildlife. Inadequate environmental protections can cause real and permanent damage to the environment that will affect generations to come.

Redside Dace
Redside dace habitat has been inadequately monitored, and therefore it is likely that their habitat range has been underestimated. Don Jackson, a professor at the University of Toronto who researches aquatic ecosystems has explained that "scientists have had trouble getting permits from Ontario’s Environment Ministry to study the redside dace." The lack of permits means that it has been difficult to study and look for redside dace habitat, meaning that streams previously or currently listed as empty may indeed have had dace in them and should therefore be protected. More research into the range of redside dace should be pursued.

The minnows are an indicator organism meaning they are important for monitoring the health of their habitats. If the fish are not there, then it will take longer for scientists to be able to tell if something is wrong with the streams.

Furthermore, Redside Dace are important for controlling bug populations as their main food are flying insects, such as mosquitoes. Without these fish as a predator, mosquito populations are likely to further thrive.

Scientists have had success breeding the fish in captivity and have hopes of re-introducing them to help improve wild population's numbers, but effective reintroduction cannot be done if their previous habitat is destroyed or developed.

https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-endangered-species-redside-dace-highway-4…

lowering restrictions on mining companies
It is foolish to exempt mining companies from following the endangered species act while building trails for mineral exploration. If they wish to profit from and inspect the land, they must be held responsible for any harm to the ecosystem and minimize their impact to the habitat.

Butternut tree protection
PLEASE KEEP THE WAITING PERIOD IN PLACE! 30 days is not that long! It is an endangered species. It takes 20 years for the butternut tree to grow old enough to produce nuts, and therefore 20 years until the tree can reproduce and make more saplings. The trees are endangered due to habitat loss/destruction, and due to fungal disease. If the trees are damaged during construction, then the disease can more easily infect and kill the tree. If the trees are destroyed during construction, that plant will die and therefore cannot produce more saplings. Even if the construction company plants multiple trees to replace the single tree, the younger trees will have a more difficult time establishing in disturbed habitat, and (due to being young) would be more susceptible to pests and disease; therefore, planting trees to replace lost ones is an unreliable fix.

http://www.lrconline.com/Extension_Notes_English/pdf/bttrnt.pdf