This comment is regarding…

This comment is regarding The Ontario government Bill 5, the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act.” Schedule 10 of the Act would repeal the Ontario Endangered Species Act and replace it with the Species Conservation Act. This Bill would also create the Special Economic Zones Act – legislation that would also allow the Provincial Cabinet to create law free zones for designated zones and project proponents.

I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to these changes and this proposed bill.

These changes and dismantle of the Endangered Species Act would hurt any progress in species and habitat protection and recovery. If anything, the Ontario government needs stronger environmental laws and processes to protect wildlife and natural heritage features.

Ontario was rich in natural beauty, biodiversity, and natural resources but many of our habitats are being lost and species becoming endangered. Natural heritage is important to people and animals of Ontario as we all need a functional and healthy ecosystem to live.

I strongly oppose any changes to the ESA and any new bill that would weaken protected for habitat and species. Wildlife act as the canary in the coal mine as indicators of ecosystem health and the destruction of these species and habitats affects us all.

We are a part of the ecosystem, not apart from it. We should be doing more to protect our wildlife and natural spaces that bring us clean air, clean water, food, culture, and so much more. We cannot live without these ecosystems and species. Ontario is failing in every way imaginable but it doesn’t have to be this way. Please do not destroy what little is already left.