Canada guts environmental legislation

I mailed this letter to Mr. Harper on June 7 with copies to Ministers Ashfield and Kent. June 7, 2012 The Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Dear Mr. Harper: RE: BILL C-38 Have you any idea how badly the changes to the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the other changes to environmental legislation, will affect my business? My company and the hundreds of other environmental consulting firms in Canada will have hardly any work if these changes proceed. Developers will have no need to hire biologists to see that their projects are designed to mitigate environmental impacts. Of course, I would gladly suffer lost clients and business if the environment would still be protected, but it will not. You are well aware of the inter-linkages of environmental legislation: • The Fisheries Act is a “trigger” the invokes the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act • When invoked, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act ensures consideration of all components of the environment, including archaeological sites and other cultural heritage values. • Protecting fish also protects water- and riparian-associated wildlife and endangered species. I started working in this business in 1972, before there was even an environmental impact assessment policy, let alone an Act. I spent most of my career with Environment Canada and have two awards from that Department for meritorious service and a letter of congratulations upon my retirement signed by one of your Prime Minister predecessors. No one thinks these Acts can’t use a little tweaking to improve fairness and efficiency; but this is too much. Please stop it. Sincerely, Lee E. Harding, PhD, RPBio President, owner and Chief Scientist cc: The Hon. Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans The Hon. Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment