You do not need to repeal…

You do not need to repeal the Endangered Species Act in order to STRENGTHEN it. Giving the government unchecked power to add or remove species at will is clearly not going to strengthen the act, as politicians are not scientists or nature experts, and we should be relying on studies and Indigenous knowledge to make decisions about species protections.

Removing plans to rehabilitate areas and restore species to health is also NOT strengthening the Endangered Species Act.

Giving the government power to exempt whatever areas they so choose from municipal and provincial laws is also NOT strengthening protections for nature.

It is clear that Bill 5 is about pushing development forth no matter the cost to our habitats, and about favouring Ford’s friends as much as possible.

We live in ecosystems, not outside of them! My health, your health, our health depends on the well-being of those ecosystems. Our mental health does as well. Activities in nature and on farmland also generate so much money for the economy and have potential to generate more if we protect species and our shared lands.

And let’s face it - nature is so dang pretty when it’s thriving! Who in their right mind would want strip all the checks and balances that Bill 5 is proposing to. We have a right to beautiful homes in beautiful ecosystems. We have a right to a democracy. We will stand up for it.