As a concerned member of the…

As a concerned member of the public, I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The amendments prioritize economic growth over the protection of Ontario's vulnerable species and their habitats. Introducing social and economic considerations into species protection undermines the core purpose of the ESA, which should be focused on preserving biodiversity and ensuring the survival of at-risk species.

Allowing the government to remove species from the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) list and eliminating the requirement for recovery plans severely weakens protections for those species. Furthermore, reducing mandatory funding for conservation efforts through the Species at Risk Conservation Fund and replacing it with a more flexible, less accountable approach will likely result in fewer meaningful actions to protect and restore habitats.

These changes would significantly harm Ontario's natural environment, and I believe they prioritize short-term economic interests at the expense of long-term ecological sustainability. We must protect our wildlife and ecosystems for future generations, and these amendments move us in the wrong direction.