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.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
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.
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.
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.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.