Impassioned Plea from the…

Impassioned Plea from the Community of Guardians: Protecting the Earth and Its Voiceless Inhabitants

To the decision-makers of Ontario and all who value the future of our planet:

We, the Community of Guardians, urge you to reconsider the proposal to bypass the Environmental Assessment Act to build Highway 413 through sensitive biological areas. This plea is not just a call to delay development but a demand that we honor our duty to protect the natural world that sustains us all. The highway threatens ecosystems that are home to vulnerable species—creatures without a voice, relying on us to act as their guardians.

The push to accelerate this highway in the name of convenience ignores what science tells us: once ecosystems are damaged, the losses are often irreversible. Wetlands, forests, and species at risk will be swept aside in the path of Highway 413, further eroding the biodiversity we so desperately need to protect. Climate change, habitat loss, and pollution are already taking a toll, and this project will exacerbate these challenges. Every tree felled and every habitat disrupted will push us further from the sustainable future we hope to achieve.

Building this highway at the cost of the environment reflects a short-sighted approach that prioritizes short-term gains over long-term well-being. While the government claims that this highway will ease traffic and save time, we must ask—what is the true cost? Once the forests are paved, the wetlands filled, and the animals displaced, these treasures cannot be restored with a change of heart or a shift in policy. We risk not only damaging ecosystems but also losing the trust of future generations, who will inherit the consequences of these decisions.

We must reject the notion that economic growth must come at the expense of the environment. Science teaches us that innovative transportation solutions, including improved public transit and smarter urban planning, can meet our needs without sacrificing sensitive ecosystems. Rather than rush into projects that harm the environment, let us explore sustainable alternatives that align with our duty to protect the natural world and the creatures that call it home.

To bypass environmental assessments is to silence the voice of science—a voice that has warned us time and again of the perils of environmental degradation. It is also to silence the voices of Indigenous communities, whose wisdom teaches us to live in harmony with nature. These communities, who will bear the brunt of this highway’s construction, deserve meaningful consultation, not a token effort to push the project through.

We implore you to listen to the science, honor the wisdom of Indigenous knowledge, and embrace your role as stewards of this land. Do not sacrifice the irreplaceable in the name of expediency. Ontario has the opportunity to lead with innovation and integrity—choosing sustainable solutions over environmentally destructive projects.

The Community of Guardians believes that every life form, no matter how small, has intrinsic value. We must be their voice. Let this be the moment we choose to care for the earth and its creatures. Let this be the moment we decide not to bypass our responsibility to future generations. We urge you to reconsider the Highway 413 project and explore alternatives that will benefit both people and the planet.

Because the earth has no voice, but we do.

With hope and resolve,
The Community of Guardians