I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed amendments to Ontario's Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), and the introduction of the Species Conservation Act, 2025. These proposals represent a significant rollback of essential protections for Ontario's most vulnerable species and their habitats.

The ESA was established to provide robust, science-based safeguards for species at risk. The proposed changes, however, introduce conditional exemptions that would allow development activities to proceed without adequate consideration of their impact on newly listed threatened or endangered species. This approach undermines the precautionary principle and sets a dangerous precedent for future conservation efforts.

Particularly concerning is the proposal to reduce habitat protection for the endangered redside dace minnow from 20 years to 10 years. Such a reduction could facilitate development activities in critical habitats, further threatening the survival of this species. Similarly, the elimination of the 30-day review period for butternut tree health assessments could lead to hasty decisions that compromise the well-being of this endangered species.

The introduction of the Species Conservation Act, 2025, which includes a "pay-to-proceed" mechanism, raises major ethical concerns. Allowing developers to pay fees in lieu of implementing effective mitigation measures does not equate to genuine conservation and may result in the degradation of irreplaceable ecosystems.

Furthermore, expanding exemptions for early mineral exploration without a comprehensive system to track cumulative impacts exacerbates the risk of habitat destruction. The lack of enforcement and oversight mechanisms in these proposals diminishes their effectiveness and accountability.

These proposed changes prioritize short-term economic gains over the long-term health of Ontario's biodiversity. They erode public trust in the government's commitment to environmental stewardship and the protection of species at risk.

On a personal note, as a parent raising a child in a world increasingly affected by climate change and the continuing degradation of our natural environment, I feel a deep responsibility to speak out. The choices we make today will shape the future our children inherit. Weakening protections for endangered species sends a clear message that short-term development is more valuable than the health of the ecosystems we all rely on. I want my child to grow up in a province where thriving wildlife, clean air, and intact natural spaces are not just memories of the past but living parts of their future.

I urge the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to reconsider these proposals and to uphold the original intent of the ESA: to protect and recover species at risk through science-based, precautionary, and enforceable measures.