I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the proposed changes to Ontario's Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the introduction of the Species Conservation Act (SCA). I believe these changes will have significant and detrimental impacts on Ontario's environment and biodiversity, with negative consequences that will persist for generations.

My primary concerns are as follows:

- Narrowed Definition of Habitat: The proposed redefinition of "habitat" to focus solely on the immediate dwelling place (e.g., a den or nest) significantly reduces the protected areas for species at risk. Many species require a broader range of habitat for foraging, migration, and other essential life processes. This change will leave them vulnerable and hinder their ability to recover.

- Weakened Protections: The removal of the concept of "harassment" from species protections, the removal of requirements to develop recovery strategies and management plans, and the shift towards a "registration-first" approach for project approvals all signal a weakening of critical safeguards for species at risk.

- Increased Government Discretion: Granting the government more discretion on which species receive protection, rather than relying on scientific assessments, introduces the potential for political and economic considerations to override the needs of vulnerable species. This could lead to species being inadequately protected.

- Removal of Key Processes: The removal of requirements for developing recovery strategies, management plans, and government response statements, as well as the removal of the express ability to establish an advisory committee, will undermine the science-based approach to species at risk protection.

- Impacts on Ecosystems: Healthy ecosystems rely on a complex web of interconnected species. The loss of even a single species can have cascading effects, leading to further biodiversity loss, ecosystem instability, and a decline in the natural services that benefit all Ontarians.

- Long-Term Economic Consequences: While the changes are purported to help the economy, the long-term economic consequences of biodiversity loss can be severe. These include decreased property values, reduced tourism, harm to forestry and fisheries, and increased vulnerability to climate change.

- Ignoring Indigenous Knowledge: The proposed changes also raise concerns about the lack of meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities, whose traditional knowledge is invaluable for effective species protection.

In summary, the proposed changes to the ESA represent a significant step backward in our efforts to protect Ontario's natural heritage. They prioritize short-term economic gains over the long-term health of our environment and the well-being of future generations. I urge the Ontario government to reconsider these changes and prioritize the conservation of our endangered species and their habitats.