A number of groups — including the David Suzuki Foundation, Greenpeace Canada and World Wildlife Fund Canada say species at risk habitat should NOT be open for business.

A review of the Endangered Species Act is underway and the say eventhough a discussion paper offers the goal of enabling “positive outcomes” for species at risk, it focuses on increasing “efficiencies for business.”
They say the province’s review could put vulnerable species at even greater risk — by removing barriers to activities that are driving wildlife decline.
James Snider is the Vice President of WWF Canada for Science and Innovation. He says they are concerned about the implications of the province streamlining the species at risk issue.

“I worry that streamlining is code for weakening or loosening protections for imperiled species,” he says.

The City of North Bay is putting together a submission to the provincial 10-year review.

He says there must be a balance of protecting species like the Blanding’s Turtle and economic opportunities.

‘How do we find the way forward here to achieve effective protection of the species and ensure community livelihoods and well being too,” Snider says.

BayToday reported last week about 70 people attended the city’s public consultation session to provide their input.

Ontarians have until March 4, 2019, to provide input into the government’s ESA review.

(file photo of recent public presentation on species at risk issue at North Bay City Council)

Filed under: James Snider, Species At Risk, World Wildlife Canada