The Ford government buried 20 pages of sweeping changes to Ontario’s Endangered Species Act in Thursday’s omnibus housing bill, amendments that wildlife experts say would gut protections for the province’s at-risk animals and plants. Article Continued BelowIn January, the ministry launched a review of the 12-year-old act, which protects endangered species such as Boreal caribou, barn owls, and wood turtles. Critics called the change “irresponsible” and “a doomsday scenario for endangered species,” and warned that if passed into law, the amendment could result in the delisting of many, if not most, of Ontario’s endangered species. Article Continued BelowA disproportionate number of the province’s endangered species persist in the narrow band of Carolinian forest that covers southern Ontario. Endangered species’ habitats need to be conserved everywhere, experts say — we can’t shirk our responsibility, or rely on other jurisdictions.

Source: thestar May 04, 2019 20:00 UTC