Ontario's plan to amend the…

Ontario's plan to amend the Endangered Species Act, 2007, clearly demonstrates Ontario's lack of effort to safeguard species at risk and prioritize development. The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (CASSARO) would not benefit from having members of “community knowledge”. Scientists and technical experts need to make the decisions regarding what is best for species at risk. Most members of most communities are not familiar with ecosystems and organisms in their own backyard. This sounds like another loophole created by our provincial government to expedite unsustainable development and not in the best interest of Ontario citizens. The loss of a species impacts our biodiversity and negatively impacts the ecosystems. Human health and well being depend on healthy ecosystems for a clean environment. Species at risk deserve proper protection, and Ontarians deserve the right to conserve them for future generations.

How does the Minister decide what geographic areas or specific circumstances are granted limited Endangered Species Act protections? Is there a bias towards developing certain areas in Ontario? This process may exclude significant habitats and species from protection.

In addition, if the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks allows activities approved under other laws to be carried out without any additional authorizations under the Endangered Species Act, even if they harm threatened or endangered species or their habitats then they are not doing their due diligence to protect species at risk.