I vehemently oppose the…

I vehemently oppose the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (2007) and the severely weakened protections for Species at Risk presented under the Species Conservation Act (2025). The protections for Species at Risk and their habitats established under the Endangered Species Act (2007) were introduced to prevent developers from destroying sensitive habitats and harming our Province’s most vulnerable species. The abolition of the Endangered Species Act (2007) is an alarming and undemocratic measure intended to ‘unleash’ unchecked development and infrastructural upgrades without censorship. Introducing these proposed amendments in the midst of a controversial federal election is a sneaky tactic purported by an untrustworthy government to ensure the public does not have an opportunity to fully consider the effects of such a detrimental legislative change. Should these changes be ratified, this will ultimately lead to irreversible damage to Species at Risk and their habitats. These amendments do not offer sustainable solutions, but rather will lead to a loss of biodiversity, damage to natural features that provide important ecological functions, and ultimately a permanent loss of some of our Province’s most vulnerable species. These changes do not support a viable future for our Province but instead promote only those with destructive capitalist interests. It is disappointing and discouraging that such proposals are even given consideration in this era of social change. This mentality is archaic and will cause irreversible damage to our Province’s most valuable natural resources.

The proposed measures presented under the Species Conservation Act (2025) that shift decision making power to the Provincial government with respect to which species are afforded protection and how those protections will be applied is particularly concerning. Currently, decisions regarding Species at Risk status changes and associated protections are established by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO). COSSARO is a third-party entity comprised of scientists from various fields and backgrounds in the environmental sector. They apply a science-based approach to determine appropriate and species-specific protections for Species at Risk. COSSARO specialists are selected for their considerable field knowledge, accredited work in the environmental field and contributions to ecological study. Shifting the power of decision making on the subject of Species at Risk from a trusted board of scientists to the government is a frightening abuse of power. This move can be interpreted as nothing other than a self-serving tactic to silence informed, scientific reasoning in favour of greedy capitalist gains.

The ‘delays’ associated with the current approach to protection and conservation of Species at Risk are important to allow for field investigation and careful consideration of the potential impacts associated with proposed infrastructure. Time is also afforded to develop appropriate, species-specific protection, mitigation and compensation measures to ensure potential impacts to vulnerable species and their habitats are minimized or avoided. Proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (2007) and the registration process presented under the Species Conservation Act (2025) undercuts the current process, allowing development before potential impacts and corresponding protection measures can be properly considered and implemented. How this can even be conceived as ‘conservation’ is beyond me. The proposed changes align with the colonial practices of desertification and deforestation that lead to substantial losses of biodiversity and wildlife habitat throughout Southern Ontario in the 1800-1900’s. During colonization, our Province’s natural resources were plundered aggressively due to a lack of environmental regulation, and we continue to endure the effects. These practices led to a substantial loss of old growth forests, a significant reduction in naturally spawning fish and irreversible impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitat including many species that are now extirpated or extinct. The proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (2007) and the registration process presented under the Species Conservation Act (2025) will allow history to repeat itself, putting us back to a time when our precious natural resources were pillaged with no regard for future generations.

It is also important to recognize that agency review time has considerably increased under the current government in response to rampant job cuts from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. It is clear that this was a calculated move implemented by Doug Ford’s Conservative government to justify the undemocratic and irresponsible measures now being proposed.

In summation, the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (2007) and measures presented under the Species Conservation Act (2025) are frightening to me as a concerned Ontario resident, mother and advocate for the environment. These changes do not favour a future in which my children can enjoy our Province’s valuable and unique natural resources but instead endorses only economically fueled capital gains. I am ashamed this proposal is even under consideration.

Please, stop this proposal immediately. Instead, please try to focus on strengthening our regulatory review agencies, continue to apply science-based, species-specific protections for Species at Risk and implement policies that protect our environment.