Protect Ontario's Caribou
- by: The Big Wild
- recipient: Linda Jeffrey, Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources
At the end of January 2011, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources announced plans to exempt all industries from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for most of the caribou habitat in Ontario. This proposal, when enacted, would effectively remove all legal protections under the ESA for caribou. The Ministry is jeopardizing the recovery of caribou in Ontario and failing to uphold its North American-leading Endangered Species Act.
By saving the woodland caribou%u2019s habitat, we%u2019re also keeping carbon stored in wetlands and intact forests. As a whole, Canada%u2019s Boreal Forest covers nearly 6 million square kilometres of Canada, stretching from the Yukon across to Newfoundland shielding us from the impacts of climate change.
Sign the letter to Minister Jeffrey and help protect this remarkable habitat and the wildlife that call it home.
Dear Honourable Minister Jeffrey,
Conservation in Canada matters to me and so do Ontario%u2019s caribou, a species that depends on our boreal forest. Caribou recovery will be jeopardized if your plans to exempt industry for most of caribou habitat under the ESA go forward.
The Ontario government can turn this around. Please uphold the Endangered Species act and implement a full protection plan for caribou. This is the purpose for which the Act is intended.
Along with The Big Wild and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, I%u2019m asking that you not allow industry to increase its activity in the remaining intact ecosystems of the commercial forest of Ontario. Instead, please support other ways to enable existing lumber mills to keep operating.
A solution is possible, Minister Jeffrey, for Canadians, our economy and for caribou.
Sincerely,
A citizen proud of Canada%u2019s commitment to conservation.
