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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.