Ontario Biodiversity Council welcomes the Environmental Commissioner's call for government action to conserve Ontario's biodiversity

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - The Ontario Biodiversity Council acknowledges the Environmental Commissioner's special report on biodiversity and supports his recommendation that the Ontario government play a key leadership role in the conservation of our natural heritage.

The special report titled "Biodiversity: A Nation's Commitment, An Obligation for Ontario" calls on the government of Ontario to develop a coordinated and strategic plan for biodiversity conservation.

In June of 2011, the Ontario Biodiversity Council released "Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy, 2011" calling on government, First Nations, conservation groups, industry and all Ontarians to help in protecting what sustains us.  Adapted from the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity International Aichi targets, the renewed strategy establishes 15 targets that reflect Ontario's biodiversity conservation needs over the next decade.

Upon release of its strategy, the Ontario Biodiversity Council, made up of diverse interests reflecting broader civil society, received special recognition from the Executive Secretary to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.  Ontario has joined jurisdictions around the world in aligning with international commitments to halt biodiversity loss.

"I look forward to the government's response to Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy in the coming months," says Jon Grant, Chair of the council. "We remain committed to work with government, First Nations, conservation groups, industry, and all Ontarians to implement Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy.  Our wealth and prosperity, our quality of life, and our well-being are directly tied to Ontario's biodiversity."

To read the complete strategy: http://ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca

BACKGROUNDER

About the Ontario Biodiversity Council

The Ontario Biodiversity Council is a group of 20 volunteers who represent environmental and conservation groups, government agencies, academia, Aboriginal communities, and industry associations. The council was created out of a recommendation in the first (2005) Ontario Biodiversity Strategy, to guide its implementation, evaluate progress, and update the strategy.

Ontario Biodiversity Council Members

Jon K. Grant Chair						Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources www.mnr.gov.on.ca
Jason Laronde Union of Ontario Indians www.anishinabek.ca						Don McCabe Ontario Federation of Agriculture www.ofa.on.ca
Julie Cayley Ducks Unlimited Canada www.ducks.ca						Cynthia Robinson Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association http://www.ossga.com
Kathleen Padulo Chiefs of Ontario www.chiefs-of-ontario.org						Don Pearson Conservation Ontario www.conservation-ontario.on.ca
George Finney Bird Studies Canada www.bsc-eoc.org						Terry Rees Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations www.foca.on.ca
Carla Grant Ontario Forestry Association www.oforest.on.ca						Dawn Succee Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters www.ofah.org
Steve Hounsell Ontario Power Generation www.opg.com						Caroline Schultz Ontario Nature www.ontarionature.org
Scott Jackson Ontario Forest Industries Association www.ofia.com						Mark Stabb Nature Conservancy of Canada www.natureconservancy.ca
Lesley Hymers Ontario Mining Association www.oma.on.ca						Tom Whillans Trent University www.trentu.ca
L.G. "Len" Ugarenko Wildlife Habitat Canada www.whc.org						Joe Voccaro Building Industry & Land Development Association www.bildgta.ca

 

Media contact: Mr. Jon Grant - Chair of the Ontario Biodiversity Council, 416-230-8520