Ontario MPP Graydon Smith faces hearing on private endangered species charges
Ontario's new natural resources minister is facing a hearing to determine whether he harmed a threatened turtle species when he was the mayor of a small town.
The charges brought in a private prosecution allege that Graydon Smith and the Town of Bracebridge, where Smith served as mayor, harmed Blanding's turtles as well as posed danger to the habitat of the at-risk species in June and August 2021.
A justice of the peace has signed off on the charges of violating the Endangered Species Act and last week set a hearing date of Sept. 21 on the matter. The charges have not yet been tested in court.
Smith was elected as a Progressive Conservative in the provincial election earlier this month and was sworn in as natural resources and forestry minister in Premier Doug Ford's cabinet last week.
A government press secretary for Smith confirmed that he was accused by a private citizen of violating the Endangered Species Act.
But he said the municipality was in a better place to comment on the case, which concerns road work done around the endangered turtle habitat.
"Council heard the concerns raised and sought mitigation measures before moving forward with the project," Curtis Lindsay said in an email.
"Given this was a decision made by council, the municipality is in a better position to provide any further comment."
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
A lawyer for the Town of Bracebridge said she is confident the charges will be thrown out.
Sarah Hahn also shared a letter sent from the town's chief administrative officer in September 2021 to a citizen who was concerned about road work disrupting the turtle habitat.
The letter explained how the town took the habitat into consideration by putting up turtle crossing signs and altering the operations to minimize damage.
"The fact is, and the evidence will show, that the Town acted diligently and appropriately in completing required road works within the vicinity of turtle habitat," Sarah Hahn said in an emailed statement. "It is unfortunate that Town resources must now be used to respond to these baseless accusations."
Smith won his seat in Parry Sound-Muskoka by a margin of just over 2,000 votes, squeezing out hopeful Green Party candidate Matt Richter.
Green Leader Mike Schreiner said the charges against Smith are telling when it comes to the government's priorities.
"It certainly shows a lack of concern that the premier and caucus have, that they would appoint a minister who isn't abiding by his own ministry," he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.