As a biodiversity expert and…

As a biodiversity expert and lover of nature in the Province of Ontario, it's not hard to see how the proposed changes will serve to harm natural spaces and native species in Ontario. I strongly oppose the suggested changes to the Species At Risk Act, especially with respect to the removal of the required ministry approval for development projects. The proposed amendments will effectively end environmental protection by this provincial government and will wreak havoc on our already damaged environments.

As well, the proposed amendments to the definition of 'habitat' are not only sorely under-representing the spaces that organisms require to live; the definition is scientifically unfounded. Ecosystems require connectivity for organisms to achieve their complex life cycles. To assume that the only habitat an organism requires is around its immediate nesting location is short-sighted and biologically indefensible. It is also incompatible with Indigenous perspectives on ecosystems, and I question the level and effectiveness of Indigenous consultation that has gone into the proposed amendments - who exactly did you consult with, and was their perspective taken seriously?

It is abundantly clear that this government is solely focused on axing environmental regulations in order to allow developers to have free reign to destroy ecosystems to build luxury condos that no one can afford. This is a farcical attempt by the Ford government to win conservative votes and should be strongly opposed by anyone who cares about the environment.