Deal encourages habitat destruction for the next five years
TORONTO, April 26, 2022/CNW/ — A newly signed AgreementBetween CanadaAnd OntarioLeading environmental groups warn that the agreement will cause more harm than good for threatened boreal caibou in the province. The groups rebuke the agreement, which was made public on Earth Day. It encourages habitat destruction and fails to curb the destructive practices that put caribou in danger.
This is a betrayal for a minister who scaled the CN Tower to climate and is known as ‘Green Jesus’ in Qubec. promise“To halt and reverse the loss of nature,” says Anna Baggio, Conservation Director, Wildlands League. Baggio said that the agreement funds five years of destructive practices and delays.
“Minister Guilbeault prioritized relations to the provincial government over protecting habitat,” says Rachel PlotkinDavid Suzuki Foundation Boreal Project Manager, “We’ve seen minister after minister, and bureaucrat after officecrat wait for us.” Ontarioto do the right things, rather than taking action. “The sad truth is that after all the waiting, the province still aids and abetts habitat destruction,” Plotkin says.
“It’s shocking. “It’s shocking. This agreement doesn’t just delay the restoration of caribou habitat. It also greenlights habitat destruction.” Julee Boan, Boreal Program Manager, Ontario Nature.
“This is probably the weakest conservation agreement in existence.” Canada” Josh Ginsberg, lawyer, Ecojustice. “The agreement does not contain any concrete measures to protect critical habitats or any plan to create them. The agreement does not meet the critical habitat protection obligations of the Convention. Species at Risk Act. We expect the federal Government to continue fulfilling its obligation to ensure that this iconic species is protected legally.
Instead of addressing the latest concerns, Auditor General OntarioReportThe finalagreement rubber stamps Ontario’sBroken policy framework that governs threatened wildlife. It lacks targets or commitments to the protection and restoration of critical habitat for caribou. According to the groups, it ignores the negative cumulative impacts of industrial logging and road building that can hinder the recovery of caribou.
Additionally, the agreement contains misleading claims that controversial forestry policies in the province are now part of a “Boreal Caribou Conservation Framework”. Ontario. These practices continue to destroy and damage critical habitat for caribous. They are not consistent in the latest science and don’t provide habitat protection that is mandatory and enforceable.
There are only 5,000 remaining caribou, and it is possible that there are even fewer. OntarioMany existing populations are in decline. More than 20,000 people called on the federal environment minister for a strong stand in support of long-suffering caribou. OntarioAs he is promising to do in Qubec. Both provinces have tried for more than a decade now to implement protections. The minister is making a welcome stand at Qubec. However, InOntario is a different story. The Caribou here look doomed for five more years of inaction and delays.
About:
Wildlands League, a non-profit charity, has been protecting public lands and other resources since 1979. OntarioSince 1968, starting with a campaign for protection Algonquin ParkFrom development.
Ontario Nature is a charity that works to protect the environment. Ontario’sSince 1931, conservation of wild species and wild places has been achieved through education, conservation and public engagement.
The David Suzuki Foundation is an independent, national non-profit organization that uses research-based education and policy analysis to preserve and protect the natural world and create a sustainable future. Canada.
SOURCE Wildlands League
For more information, Anna Baggio, Conservation Director | Wildlands League, 416-453-3285 mobile; Rachel Plotkin, Boreal Project Manager | David Suzuki Foundation, 416-799-8435; John Hassell, Director of Communications and Engagement | Ontario Nature, 416-786-2171
