I'm deeply disappointed in…

I'm deeply disappointed in the Ontario government's decision to amend the Endangered Species Act. As a young conservation scientist, this WILL lead to extinctions in the next 10 years. The grey wolf will go extinct, barn owls will go extinct, Blanding's turtle will go extinct, and woodland caribou will go extinct.

I am writing to strongly oppose Bill 5: the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act and its dangerous proposals, including the creation of Special Economic Zones, the weakening of Ontario’s endangered species protections, and the exemption of the Eagle’s Nest mine from an environmental review. Bill 5 gives your government extreme new powers to ignore laws that protect the environment, public health, and Indigenous rights — without accountability. This is unacceptable and goes against our rights, we have the right to a clean environment - this will destroy it.

The Special Economic Zones Act (Schedule 9) would grant unprecedented powers to the Provincial Cabinet and could allow corporations or individuals to avoid any laws and by-laws in entire areas of Ontario. There are no limits, no rules, and no public input, this is not how democracy works.

The new Species Conservation Act (Schedules 2 & 10) would strip away real protections for at-risk species and their habitats. Science and recovery planning are being replaced by an empty process that can’t protect our wildlife. Ontario should not give up vital environmental protections or give the Provincial Cabinet unlimited power. This won’t solve the trade war, or stimulate economic growth. It will only bring us closer to the chaos we’ve seen in the United States. It would also severely undermine Indigenous rights.

Ontarians deserve better. I urge you to withdraw Bill 5 immediately.