I strongly oppose Bill 5,…

I strongly oppose Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act. This legislation poses a serious threat to Ontario’s natural heritage, democratic processes and Indigenous rights.

Bill 5 proposes to repeal the Endangered Species Act — one of the few tools we have to protect at-risk wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on. Replacing it with vague “goals” and unenforceable measures will lead to the further decline of species already on the brink. This is not modernization. It’s deregulation that puts short-term industrial gain ahead of long-term ecological and community health.

Given the alarming rate of habitat loss and numbers of species at risk, this is unpardonable. Shame on anyone trying to prioritize short term monetary gains over the lives of species who can t speak for themselves. We need a healthy environment and the plants and animals living in it to survive physically and spiritually. With all the unused city property and empty condos around, it makes no sense to steal it from outside of our urban foot print. We pay for greed with the lives of our children and the natural world we need and are connected to.