This proposal represents a…

This proposal represents a dangerous rollback of environmental protections in Ontario. Repealing the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and replacing it with a "registration-first" framework under the proposed Species Conservation Act, 2025 prioritizes speed and economic convenience over science and long-term environmental responsibility.

Key concerns:

Registration Instead of Permits = Weakened Oversight
Allowing developers and industry to begin work immediately after registering — without waiting for a permit review — removes essential checks and balances. There is no meaningful oversight to prevent irreversible damage before it happens.

“Government Discretion” Over Science-Based Species Protection
Granting the government discretion to ignore or remove species from protection lists — even when COSSARO has classified them as endangered or threatened — undermines the scientific basis of conservation and invites political interference.

Redefining “Habitat” to Exclude Essential Ecosystems
Narrowing the definition of habitat leaves vast areas of important ecosystems — including migratory corridors, feeding grounds, and wider ranges — unprotected. Conservation is more than nests and dens; it's about maintaining viable ecosystems.

No More Recovery Plans
Eliminating mandatory recovery strategies and progress reviews severs accountability. Recovery efforts will become ad hoc, underfunded, and inconsistent, driven more by political will than species needs.

A Toothless “Conservation Program” Doesn’t Replace Strong Laws
Increasing voluntary funding is no substitute for enforceable legal protection. Conservation is not a charitable suggestion — it must be a binding obligation if it’s to succeed.

Loss of Independent Oversight and Public Accountability
Removing advisory committees and centralizing discretion in government hands weakens transparency. Public trust erodes when decisions are made without external expertise or public recourse.

Ontario’s biodiversity is already under pressure from habitat loss, climate change, and industrial development. Gutting one of the strongest endangered species laws in Canada at a time when bold environmental leadership is needed is reckless and short-sighted.

Economic growth must not come at the cost of extinction. If this legislation passes, it will be remembered as the moment Ontario chose convenience over conservation — and future generations will pay the price.

I urge the government to abandon this proposal and instead strengthen — not repeal — the Endangered Species Act.