Category: Nature News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Environmental groups win right to appeal endangered species decision
Industry exemptions from Endangered Species Act unlawful, groups say
TORONTO – The Ontario Court of Appeal has granted Ontario Nature and Wildlands League leave to appeal a lower court ruling that puts already endangered species at further risk of extinction.
“Biological diversity is a great treasure of our planet with ecological, social, economic, cultural and intrinsic value, yet we are losing plants and animals forever at an alarming rate due to human activities,” says Caroline Schultz, Ontario Nature’s Executive Director. “That’s why the Endangered Species Act was put in place — as an essential safeguard to protect Ontario’s natural heritage for our kids.”
This marks the first time environmental groups have won the right to appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal on a case about the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or about endangered species.
The appeal, to be argued by lawyers from Ecojustice, challenges the Ontario Divisional Court’s decision to uphold a provincial regulation that exempts major industries from the ESA and allows those industries to kill species at risk and destroy their habitat.
“The Court of Appeal only hears appeals of public importance,” said Lara Tessaro, Ecojustice lawyer. “The Court has signalled that our clients’ legal challenge to this regulation, which deprives endangered species of the law’s protection, is important to Ontarians."
When it was introduced in 2007, the ESA was considered the gold standard law for species protection in North America. Recent years, however, have seen Ontario avoid its duties to protect at-risk wildlife.
A regulation made by Cabinet in 2013 exempts major industries — including forestry, mining, energy, and residential development — from the strict protection standards outlined in the ESA. In many instances, these exemptions give industries a free pass to kill endangered or threatened species, and destroy their habitat, as long as this harm is “minimized.”
Species threatened by the regulation include the American Eel, Blanding’s Turtle, Lakeside Daisy, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Acadian Flycatcher and the iconic Woodland Caribou.
“We can’t allow the government to turn its back on at risk birds, turtles and mammals just so it can save a few bucks,” said Anna Baggio of CPAWS Wildlands League. “It is up to Ontario to provide a lifeline not an anchor for these species when faced with imminent threats of extinction.”
For media inquiries
Lara Tessaro, Lawyer | Ecojustice 416-368-7533 ext. 531
Anna Baggio, Director Conservation Planning | CPAWS Wildlands League 416-453-3285 mobile
John Hassell, Communications Manager | Ontario Nature 416-444-8419 ext. 269; cell 416-786-2171
David Baird – Program Coordinator
Otter Valley Naturalists
(519) 842-6508 or cel (519) 983-4066
Hello Nature Network members in the Carolinian West Region,
Ontario Nature has just launched a new conservation science blog, thanks to Tanya Pulfer’s leadership. This blog engages guest bloggers who are leading scientists in various areas of conservation biology. Here is the link to our first blog from our own former Reptile and Amphibian Atlas Coordinator, James Paterson (now working on his Ph.D. at the University of Ottawa) and well know reptile biologist Dr. Jacqueline Litzgus: http://www.ontarionature.org/connect/blog/helping-turtles-not-cross-the-road/.
You may also be interested in blogs on other topics at Ontario Nature’s blog on the Web. Please forward the above link to other members of your organization who may be interested.
Best wishes and Happy Easter,
Carolinian West Regional Director.
Anita Caveney firstname.lastname@example.org
“In the love of our people for nature lies the highest hope of the race.” Harriet Monro.
I recently painted this pair of Bachman’s Warblers, and learned a lot in the process, but the last definite record was in 1962 (before my first birthday), so I could only learn as much as had been preserved and recorded by a few lucky observers more than 50 years ago. The painting was a melancholy project in some ways, but also a reminder of the value of enjoying, questioning, and documenting everything we can about all of the wonderful birds that are with us today. And – it should go without saying – remaining vigilant and supporting conservation efforts so that no more species follow the Bachman’s Warbler.