To: Public Input Coordinator…

To: Public Input Coordinator – Species at Risk Protection
Species at Risk Branch

Subject: Opposition to Proposed Changes to the Endangered Species Act

Dear Public Input Coordinator,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the introduction of the Species Conservation Act, 2025.

Ontario’s original ESA was built on a foundation of science, precaution, and a genuine commitment to protect species at risk. The proposed amendments—and the ultimate repeal of the ESA—shift the focus away from science and conservation and toward deregulation and development. Giving the government discretion to list or remove species, removing clear recovery strategies, and replacing permits with a “registration-first” model weakens protections when we should be strengthening them.

These changes are not about balance—they are about speeding up industrial projects at the expense of irreplaceable ecosystems. Habitat loss is the number one threat to species at risk, and redefining “habitat” to suit economic interests puts countless plants and animals in even greater danger.

I urge the Ministry to withdraw this proposal and uphold the integrity of the current Endangered Species Act. Ontarians care deeply about our natural heritage and future generations deserve to inherit a province rich in biodiversity—not one degraded for short-term gains.

Sincerely,

Name Redacted