I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to changing Ontario’s Endangered Species Act and the
proposal of the comparatively limited Species Conservation Act.
As a lifelong resident of Ontario, raised in a house along the Grand River, growing up immersed in nature has instilled in me a deep respect for Ontario’s natural beauty—and a strong belief in the importance of protecting it.
Ontario’s Endangered Species Act was once among Canada’s strongest environmental laws, protecting species at risk through science-based safeguards. Allowing it to be replaced will put countless vulnerable plants and animals at even greater risk of extinction while reversing decades of progress in environmental conservation.
Economic development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. In fact, a healthy environment is essential for long-term economic prosperity. By dismantling protections for endangered species, we risk irreversible harm to ecosystems that support clean water, agriculture, tourism, and the overall well-being of Ontarians.
Rather than dismantling a proven, science-based framework, the government needs to engage with conservation experts, Indigenous communities, business leaders, economists, and the public to unleash Ontario’s economy in ways that preserve biodiversity and critical habitats.
It is possible to build a strong, prosperous economy without destroying our land and wildlife. Please protect the natural world that has shaped so many of us in this province.