The changes to the…

The changes to the Endangered Species Act and proposal for the Species Conservation Act are disturbing. Wildlife in Ontario is extremely valuable. Ontario attracts the most nature-based tourists than any other province in Canada. A lot of that has to do with the diversity of wildlife in Ontario including endangered species we can find here and their protection. Ontario’s biodiversity and endangered species are both intrinsically and economically valuable. In 2020, the Auditor General stated that “biodiversity loss has been ranked as a top-five risk – by likelihood and impact – to economies over the next decade because of the economic value of the services that the natural environment provides. Ontario needs an effective protected area network to ensure the positive economic impacts attributed to protected areas continue.” The risks associated with the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act, and the reduction in biodiversity that comes with it, to the economy is too high to be worth it. In addition, the definition of “habitat” provided is inaccurate. It is not just the area a species is denning or nesting, it’s a much wider area that includes space for the species to eat, live and survive. If you think of a human, our habitat is not just our house and if we only had space to live in our house, we wouldn’t survive. We need space to go get food and socialize, etc. it is the same for other species.

Nature and wildlife also have a huge impact on improving our mental health. Spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, etc. Ontario is estimated to spend about $2 billion on mental health in 2024 and 2025. This number may only get higher as natural areas disappear with less protections.

Finally, by making these changes to the Endangered Species Act, we are removing one of the key things that Ontario is known for. According to CanadaVisa.com, “Besides being Canada’s main economic hub, Ontario is also known for its natural diversity, including vast forests, beautiful provincial parks, four of the five Great Lakes and the world-famous Niagara falls.” By reducing protections for endangered species habitats, we are reducing biodiversity, and thereby removing Ontario’s unique identity. These changes make me want to leave this province, as I don’t feel like this represents what Ontario is.

Please reconsider making changes to the Endangered Species Act and proposing the Species Conservation Act. Keep Ontario’s unique biodiversity that attracts tourists from across the world and improves both tourist mental health and Ontarians’ mental health. The environment, economy, and public health all go hand in hand and getting rid of one of these will have a detrimental effect on the others. Don’t risk the economic challenges that these changes would create.