I am writing with serious…

I am writing with serious concerns about the proposed changes to Ontario's Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the new Species Conservation Act (SCA) outlined in ERO #025-0380. I believe these changes risk weakening critical protections for Ontario's vulnerable plants and animals.

My key concerns include:

Reduced Protections: The shift towards a "registration-first" approach could prioritize project speed over effective species protection.
"Pay-to-Slay": Allowing developers to pay a fee instead of fully avoiding harm to habitat is concerning and may lead to further habitat loss.
Narrowed Habitat Definition: A restricted definition of "habitat" could exclude essential areas for species survival.
Gaps in Protection: Excluding federally protected species under the SCA creates potential loopholes.
Increased Political Influence: Greater ministerial discretion in listing species could politicize conservation decisions.
Weakened Species Assessments: Changes to COSSARO's process raise concerns about the scientific integrity of species at risk assessments.
I urge the Ministry to reconsider these changes and prioritize strong, science-based protections for Ontario's endangered and threatened species.