I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposal to eliminate or weaken Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA). This Act plays a vital role in preserving our province's natural heritage, protecting species that are at risk of extinction, and maintaining the ecosystems we all depend on — including humans.

Here are several reasons why we must keep and strengthen, not dismantle, the ESA:

1. Once species are gone, they’re gone forever.
Extinction is irreversible. Every species — from pollinators like bees to apex predators like wolves — plays a role in maintaining a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Removing protections will accelerate the loss of wildlife already under threat from climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and human development.

2. The ESA is one of the few tools we have to hold industries accountable.
Without legal protections in place, developers and corporations have little incentive to avoid damaging sensitive habitats. The ESA is not "red tape" — it’s a safeguard to ensure that economic development doesn't come at the cost of irreversible environmental harm.

3. Healthy ecosystems benefit people too.
Biodiversity isn’t just an environmental concern; it directly affects our health, economy, and quality of life. Wetlands, forests, and grasslands — often protected under the ESA — filter our air and water, control floods, and help combat climate change by storing carbon. Losing species means losing the systems that keep our planet livable.

4. Weakening the ESA contradicts climate change goals.
Protecting biodiversity is essential to climate resilience. As Ontario faces more extreme weather and environmental instability, we need strong legislation that prioritizes long-term ecological sustainability — not short-term profit.

5. We have a responsibility to future generations.
Allowing endangered species to disappear sends a message that short-term convenience matters more than stewardship. Our children deserve to inherit a world where caribou, turtles, owls, and salamanders still exist in the wild — not just in textbooks.

6. Economic growth and species protection can coexist.
Many jurisdictions have shown that it's possible to build housing and infrastructure without gutting environmental protections. Streamlining processes is one thing — eliminating critical safeguards is reckless. Conservation science and responsible planning should guide development, not be swept aside for convenience.

This proposal is a step backwards. We should be investing in stronger conservation efforts, not weakening them. I urge you to protect the Endangered Species Act and commit to a future where Ontario’s wildlife and natural spaces are valued, preserved, and respected.