Subject: Opposition to…

Subject: Opposition to Proposed Amendments to the Species at Risk Ontario (SARO) Act

To Whom It May Concern,

We, as a collective of municipalities, conservation organizations, and concerned citizens, are deeply troubled by the proposed amendments to the Species at Risk Ontario (SARO) Act outlined in the recent Environmental Registry Notice (ERO #025-0380). While we recognize the need for economic and social growth through infrastructure development, we believe that the current proposal fails to strike a balance between growth and the protection of the natural environment. Specifically, we are alarmed by the suggestion that the Act should be amended to make it easier to bypass protections for species at risk in the name of development.

Ontario’s ecosystems are the foundation of life, providing essential services such as clean air, water, and fertile soil, all of which support both human society and wildlife. The current framework of the SARO Act is designed to safeguard these invaluable resources, ensuring that any development does not come at the expense of the natural world upon which all life depends. We strongly oppose any changes that would undermine the core purpose of the Act by prioritizing short-term economic and social gains over the long-term health of our environment and species.

Imagine, for a moment, a place from your childhood, perhaps a forest, a meadow, or a quiet stream. This was a place where you explored, played, and connected with the rhythms of nature. Now, imagine if this place no longer existed, not just for you, but for future generations. What if your children, or their children, would never have the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world you once knew?

In many ways, we are the stewards of these spaces. Much like the beloved character of the Lorax, who famously “speaks for the trees,” we must be the voice for the creatures and ecosystems that cannot speak for themselves. When we prioritize economic expansion over the protection of species and habitats, we are speaking on behalf of short-term gains, not long-term sustainability. Just as the Lorax advocates for the forest, we must advocate for the species whose lives and homes depend on our protection.

Species, much like us, need these refuges to survive and thrive. The loss of these habitats will not only have a detrimental impact on biodiversity but will also strip future generations of their natural heritage.

The very essence of conservation and environmental stewardship is to ensure that the places we hold dear are preserved, not just for us, but for those who will follow. The proposed amendments to the SARO Act would strip away critical protections for species at risk, weakening the safeguards that allow our ecosystems to thrive in harmony. This is a future we cannot afford to imagine, let alone create.

We strongly urge the Ontario government to reconsider these proposed amendments and instead focus on fostering policies that allow for development without sacrificing the ecological integrity of our province. A true commitment to sustainable development includes respecting all three pillars: environmental, social, and economic. To diminish the environmental pillar in favor of easier development processes undermines the very concept of sustainable growth.

If we are to build a future that supports both people and nature, we must work in partnership with the environment, not against it. The natural world is not just an obstacle to overcome in pursuit of economic growth, it is the very foundation upon which our social and economic well-being rests.

We stand in opposition to these proposed amendments to the SARO Act and call for a more thoughtful approach that ensures the protection of our natural heritage for future generations.

Sincerely,

Current and future stewards of the land.