Update on Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy - 2005
Biodiversity is life itself. It can be understood as the variety of native species, the genetic variability within each species, and the variety of different ecosystems and landscapes they form. It is the result of billions of years of evolution, creating ecological systems so complex that humans are only now beginning to understand their dynamics. The loss of biodiversity is one of the most significant threats facing the planet. Ontario is not isolated from this crisis.
One of the central purposes of the Environmental Bill of Rights is to hold the Ontario government accountable for the “protection and conservation of biological, ecological and genetic diversity.” In our 2001/2002 annual report, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario recommended the development of a provincial biodiversity strategy, complemented by a comprehensive assessment of Ontario’s current policies, regulations and Acts.
The ECO has been concerned that while ministries may be working away at fragments of environmental issues, they often fail to grasp a wider perspective. This failure to see the bigger picture has very practical consequences, since it can result in policies and programs that are inadequate, misdirected, or even counterproductive. Conserving biodiversity requires a re-thinking of current approaches to environmental issues – efforts that go beyond a simple re-branding of the status quo.
Recognizing the core issues and developing a coordinated plan to address them is an effective way of addressing environmental problems. It also allows for an efficient use of government resources. Environmental problems sometimes appear to be isolated issues, but often they are highly interrelated.
| Initiatives to Conserve Biodiversity: Ontario’s Record | |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Canada signs the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Rio “Earth Summit” and ratifies it the following year |
| 1995 | Canada introduces its own national strategy |
| 1996 | All provinces and territories commit to the national strategy |
| 2002 | The ECO reports that Ontario is not fulfilling its obligations and recommends the creation of a provincial strategy |
| 2002 | Countries report on their progress at the Johannesburg Summit, also known as “Rio+10” |
| 2003 | The ECO reports that no progress has been made by Ontario and further calls for a series of sub-strategies to target key issues |
| 2005 | Ontario unveils its proposed strategy |
| 2010 | The year in which Ontario plans to release a first report that will outline indicators and benchmarks to guide future action |
In October 2004, the Minister of Natural Resources announced the development of a biodiversity strategy for Ontario. The minister stated that “we have a responsibility to conserve biodiversity and use our biological resources in a sustainable way. Conserving biodiversity is a key way of ensuring a healthy environment, strong communities and a thriving economy.” The minister also cited the “2010 Biodiversity Target” – the year by which all 188 countries that signed the international Convention on Biological Diversity should have achieved a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss. MNR subsequently invited approximately 200 people to participate in developing a strategy. These individuals represented conservation groups, resource industries, First Nations and other sectors. Two workshops were held and an independent facilitator oversaw the process.
In December 2004, MNR posted an information notice on the Environmental Registry that advised the public about the initiative and directed them to a non-government internet site to provide comments on a discussion paper. The discussion paper contained information and extracts from other biodiversity strategies and prompted readers to respond online to various questions. Responses were moderated and posted for other readers to review.
In April 2005, MNR posted a proposal notice for the strategy on the Environmental Registry with a 30-day comment period. The strategy proposes that two goals must be achieved for a “balanced and realistic approach”:
- Protect the genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity of Ontario.
- Use and develop the biological assets of Ontario sustainably, and capture benefits from such use for Ontarians.
The strategy identifies five main threats to Ontario’s biodiversity: pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, unsustainable hunting and fishing practices, and climate change. These threats also impact biodiversity cumulatively, requiring an integrated approach to be effective. The strategy states that these impacts not only cause the loss of biodiversity, but also damage “society’s ability to generate wealth.” The strategy proposes to create numerous stakeholder committees. Many of its strategic directions are “initiatives that have been announced or initiated since 2003 by the current Ontario government.”
The ECO believes that a successful biodiversity strategy should clearly detail the responsibilities of all relevant ministries, describe decisive actions, contain quantifiable targets, and specify timelines for delivery. It also should target program areas, policies, and legislation that need revision to achieve its goals. In essence, a successful strategy should focus on the new things that need to be done, using an adaptive approach that makes biodiversity the priority. The ECO will closely monitor MNR’s implementation of Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy, 2005, and the efforts that other ministries make to support it.
| This is an article from the 2004/05 Annual Report to the Legislature from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. |
Citing This Article:
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 2005. "Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy." Planning our Landscape, ECO Annual Report, 2004-05. Toronto, ON : Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 67-69.
