Ford government proposes a fund so developers can pay to avoid protecting endangered species
A proposal from the Ontario PC government to allow developers to pay a fee instead of protecting species is being criticized.
The Species at Risk Conservation Trust would take the funds and put the money toward large-scale measures to protect and recover those species.
Environmental groups like the David Suzuki Foundation and Ontario Nature are opposed to what they call a roll back in protection.
Speaking on AM800's The Morning Drive, the Director of Conservation and Education for Ontario Nature - Anne Bell - is concerned.
She says there are even more proposals the government wants to implement.
"This option of paying into a fund is only one of at least 15 changes that are being proposed that will undermine protections for species at risk in Ontario. What's been put forward by the government is absolutely horrendous"
Bell says the current legislation has rules to make sure species at risk aren't damaged.
"You have to replace it and you have to provide an overall benefit to the species. And this proposal lets developers off the hook. They will no longer have to worry about the on the ground implications of their developments you simply pay into a fund"
She is worried this will become law before people have a chance to speak out.
Other changes include allowing the environment minister to suspend for up to three years species and habitat protections required once a species is listed as endangered or threatened. As well, the committee that makes those listing decisions would be required to reconsider its classification as endangered or threatened at the minister's request.