The vast majority of Ontario…

The vast majority of Ontario is comprised of provincially managed public lands, and provincial listings are meant to protect the habitat of at-risk species here as they’re not covered under federal law — similar to private lands. But now, migratory birds and aquatic species that are listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act are excluded from Ontario’s proposed Species Conservation Act — the Ford government has said this will reduce duplication and allow projects to “move forward in a more efficient and cost-effective way.” This proposed change is nothing more than an excuse to gut the Endangered Species Act for profit.

It's not a coincidence that Ford's proposed Highway 413 intersects protected habitats.

The Ontario government’s own research has confirmed 11 species at risk are living along the planned route of Highway 413: butternut tree, bobolink, chimney swift, bank swallow, rapids clubtail, redside dace, western chorus frog, wood thrush, eastern meadowlark, barn swallow and olive-sided flycatcher.

The ESA should protect endangered species, not enable the development of critical habitats.