10th Year Review of Ontario's Endangered Species Act
In early 2019, the Ontario government undertook a review of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) looking for feedback on how the ESA can “improve protections for species at risk, consider modern and innovative approaches to achieve positive outcomes for species at risk, as well as to look for ways to streamline approvals and provide clarity to support economic development.” Click here to read the Discussion Paper. The consultation period closed on March 4, 2019.
Following consultation on the Discussion Paper, in April 2019, the Ontario government introduced proposed changes to the ESA. Click here to read the proposal. The consultation period closed on May 18, 2019.
Click here to view OSSGA's comments on proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act.
Legislative changes to the Endangered Species Act were inlcuded in Bill 108, More Homes, More Choice Act which received Royal Assent on June 6, 2019. Bill 108 is an Act to amend various statues with respect to housing, other development and various other matters.
MNRF Finalizes Safe Harbour Habitat Policy
The Safe Habour Habitat Policy has now been finalized and was broadened to include special concern species in addition to endangered and threatened species.
The final document is available here.
The OSSGA SAR Taskforce will be looking at ways that the aggregate industry might be able to use the Safe Harbour Instrument to create endangered species habitat for a certain period of time so that future land use activities will not be limited under the ESA
