Statement Opposing the…

Statement Opposing the Proposed Changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 2007 in Support of Wildlife Protection.

I strongly oppose the proposed repeal of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 and the introduction of the Species Conservation Act, 2025.

While framed as a “balanced approach,” the changes prioritize economic expediency over ecological integrity, weakening critical protections for Ontario’s most vulnerable wildlife.

By shifting to a *registration-first* system, the government would allow potentially harmful activities to begin immediately without prior expert review. This undermines the precautionary principle that is essential for safeguarding species already at risk of extinction. The proposed discretionary authority to remove species from the protected list—despite scientific recommendations—opens the door to politically motivated decisions that ignore ecological science.

Redefining “habitat” in narrow terms and removing “harassment” from prohibited activities further erodes meaningful protections. These changes fail to account for the full scope of species’ ecological needs, such as migration corridors, feeding areas, and ecosystem interactions.

Finally, eliminating the requirement for recovery strategies and government response statements strips away accountability and transparency, making it easier to delay or ignore essential conservation action.

Wildlife cannot speak for itself. We must oppose legislation that sacrifices long-term biodiversity for short-term development goals. Ontario’s ecosystems, and the countless species that depend on them, deserve stronger protections, not diluted ones.