"Corporatism" is defined as…

I am deeply concerned with the proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007, and the Species Conservation Act, 2025 proposal. Repealing the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and replacing it with significantly weaker legislation is a shocking move evocative of concerning events south of the border. The changes should come as no surprise, I guess, as Ford is functionally Trump without the tan; however, I fear they are a sign of more regressive changes to come. As Environmental Defence stated, the proposed bill is "...an attack on the public direct from the Trump Administration playbook".

Not dissimilar to the proposed Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, the proposed Species Conservation Act, 2025 will detrimentally impact Ontario and Ontarians to line the pockets of the premier's friends and family. The bill would allow the province's corporate friends to disregard species listings based on independent scientific assessments using internationally recognized criteria. The bill functionally allows the premier's friends to exclude species from protection when doing so is politically or economically in their interest.

Additionally, the redefinition of “habitat” would strip away ecological context, reducing it to individual nesting or roosting sites - as if a species' survival needs begin and end there. This is especially troubling given that habitat loss and degradation are the leading threats to most species at risk (you recall the Greenbelt incident, no? And the news the public learns every week...?).

Moreover, the provincial government proposes to offload responsibility for migratory birds and aquatic species by citing federal jurisdiction - sidestepping its role in shared stewardship. This overlooks the reality that coordinated action is essential, given the province’s responsibility for land use, natural resource management, and permitting decisions that directly affect species in provincial waters and on provincial lands. Just as it does under Jordan's Principle or the $10-a-day child care program, the provincial government shirks its legal responsibilities and continues to blame and squabble with the federal government, rather than do any actual work.

Finally, under the proposed changes, "special economic zones" are introduced without criteria, scope, or geographic indication, leaving open significant questions about oversight, accountability, and implications for environmental and local governance. Surely, these will not just be zones for the premier's friends to categorically destroy habitats or render various species extinct so they can make more money, right?

"Corporatism" is defined as the control of a state or organization by large interest groups. Meanwhile, "cronyism" is defined as the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications. If it wasn't clear before, the proposed legislation all but confirmed it: these are the provincial government's top priorities.

As the provincial government continues on its path of destruction on the backs of Ontarians, I urge it to heed Guy McPherson's prescient words: "If you think the economy is more important than the environment, try holding your breath while you count your money". Can the premier hold his breath until he passes out?