The Ontario Provincial Cabinet announced May 31st its approval of several exemptions for industry under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). Many environmental organizations are incensed at the this government action. They fear it is an abdication of public government’s responsibility to protect Ontario’s endangered plants and animals. Specifically, the exemptions for the forest industry could imperil the recovery of the Woodland Caribou. The cost of administering the Endangered Species Act was a factor driving the decision. But Dr. Anne Bell, director of conservation and education at Ontario Nature believes long terms costs will be much greater. “Wise management of this asset demands careful government oversight and enforcement of environmental laws and policies, not environmental deregulation,” says Bell. “Society simply can’t afford to continue to lose species and degrade the natural environment.”
