OCOA Media Release 2008-09-01 - Endangered Species Act Enforcement

www.ocoa.ca
MEDIA RELEASE
September 1, 2008.

New Endangered Species Act Enforcement Supported by Minister Cansfield

The Ontario Conservation Officers association (OCOA) would like to provide you with more information regarding the recently proclaimed Endangered Species Act 2007 (ESA 2007). After nearly 37 years, the Endangered Species Act has been replaced with ESA 2007 - a modernized piece of legislation which will provide exceptional protection to Ontario's rare, threatened, and endangered species.

As stewards of the environment, Conservation Officers (COs) play a vital role in the protection of all of Ontario's flora and fauna. COs increasingly find themselves actively enforcing legislation such as ESA 2007, helping to ensure the sustainability of our natural resources. With these increased duties come increased workload and the need for more resources to allow officers to do their jobs.

"Recently announced increases to operating funding for COs will help to ensure that enforcement of ESA 2007 can be carried out effectively", says OCOA President Dan VanExan, a field Conservation Officer. "We want to thank Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield for her continuing commitment to support our field enforcement activities".

Highlights of the ESA 2007 include:

Species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened are protected. The habitat of endangered, threatened and extirpated species is also protected.
Enforcement and penalties provisions have been updated and are consistent with other more recent provincial legislation
Species assessed as being at risk will automatically be added to the Species at Risk in Ontario List, and that list will be the source list of species to be protected under ESA 2007.

"Our members' commitment to the enforcement of this new legislation, combined with effective funding, will ensure that these species now at risk will remain a part of the natural world that our future generations can enjoy " concludes VanExan

Anyone with information about a natural resources related crime is encouraged to call the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources violation reporting line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667), contact their local CO directly, or call Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-TIPS (8477).

For more information about natural resources regulations and enforcement, please visit the OCOA website at www.ocoa.ca, or contact your local Conservation Officer.

For more information contact:

Dan VanExan
President
Ontario Conservation Officers Association
(613) 478-6132