I am writing to vehemently…

I am writing to vehemently oppose the proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the introduction of the Species Conservation Act (SCA), as outlined in ERO 025-0380. This proposal represents a regressive approach to environmental stewardship and a betrayal of Ontario’s commitment to biodiversity conservation.

The assertion that the current ESA is slow and complex, causing delays for housing, transit, and infrastructure projects, is an oversimplification that overlooks the critical role these protections play in preserving our natural heritage. The proposed shift to a registration-first approach for most species-related authorizations undermines the precautionary principle and places the burden of proof on species at risk, rather than on those whose activities may harm them. This approach risks irreversible damage to ecosystems that are already under threat.

Furthermore, the proposal to grant the government discretion to add or remove species from the protected list, irrespective of the independent assessments by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO), politicizes conservation efforts and jeopardizes the integrity of species protection. The removal of the term “harass” from species protections and the redefinition of habitat protections are alarming steps towards weakening the legal safeguards that have been hard-earned through decades of environmental advocacy.

Ontario’s biodiversity is a public trust that transcends political agendas and short-term economic gains. The proposed changes prioritize development over ecological integrity, disregarding the long-term consequences of habitat loss and species decline. This is not a balanced approach; it is a capitulation to development interests at the expense of our natural environment.

I urge the Ministry to reconsider this proposal and instead strengthen, not weaken, the protections afforded to Ontario’s endangered species. Our children and future generations deserve a province where biodiversity is cherished and preserved, not sacrificed for expediency.

JB