As a concerned member of the…

As a concerned member of the public, I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007, and the introduction of the Species Conservation Act, 2025, as outlined in ERO notice 025-0380.

The proposed shift to a “registration-first” approach, allowing proponents to commence activities immediately after registration without prior ministry approval, raises significant concerns. While the intention to streamline processes for housing, transit, and infrastructure projects is understandable, this approach could lead to insufficient oversight and increased risks to vulnerable species.

Furthermore, granting the government discretion to add or remove species from the protected list, despite assessments by the independent Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO), undermines the scientific integrity of species classification. Decisions about species protection should remain grounded in scientific evidence to ensure the effective conservation of biodiversity.

The proposed redefinition of habitat protections, focusing solely on specific dwelling places like dens or nests, may neglect the broader ecosystems essential for species survival. Comprehensive habitat protection is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and supporting the diverse needs of species throughout their life cycles.

while economic development is important, it should not come at the expense of our province’s rich biodiversity. I urge the government to reconsider these proposals and prioritize robust, science-based protections for endangered species to ensure their survival for future generations.

In Ontario, more than 240 species are currently listed as at risk, including the Blanding’s Turtle, Eastern Meadowlark, Monarch Butterfly, and the Woodland Caribou. These are not just names on a list—they represent vital parts of our natural heritage that are rapidly disappearing. The Monarch Butterfly, once a familiar sight in summer skies, has seen dramatic population declines due to habitat loss. Blanding’s Turtles can take up to 25 years to reproduce, making them especially vulnerable to habitat disruption. If these changes are implemented, we risk losing not only individual species but also the delicate ecosystems they support—forests, wetlands, and grasslands that sustain countless forms of life. It’s heartbreaking to imagine future generations growing up in a world where these species exist only in books and pictures, their songs and colors erased from our landscapes by short-sighted policy decisions.