I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed repeal of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (2007) and its replacement with the Species Conservation Act, 2025. The ESA is one of the most important legislative tools protecting biodiversity in Ontario, and its replacement appears to weaken, rather than strengthen, protections for species at risk.

Key concerns:

Reduced Role of Science in Decision-Making
The proposal allows for discretionary decisions about listing or delisting species, even if they are identified as at risk by independent scientific experts (COSSARO). Political discretion should not override science when it comes to conservation.
Weakened Habitat Protections
The proposed narrowing of the definition of habitat and removal of the term "harass" undermines the safeguards that currently ensure the survival of species in a meaningful way.
Registration-First Approach Reduces Oversight
Moving from a permitting system to a registration-based system prioritizes industry convenience over rigorous environmental review. This could allow harmful development to proceed unchecked.
Environmental Stewardship Requires Enforcement, Not Deregulation
The government claims enforcement will be strengthened, yet the tools proposed seem to reduce the ability to monitor and intervene effectively in the protection of species and ecosystems.
Ontario has a responsibility to protect its unique and diverse wildlife for current and future generations. This proposal would set back conservation efforts by decades. I urge the government to abandon this repeal and instead invest in properly enforcing and funding the current ESA.