I adamantly oppose Bill 5,…

I adamantly oppose Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act. This legislation seriously threatens Ontario’s natural heritage, democratic processes, and Indigenous rights.

Unfortunately, the bill effectively eliminates endangered species legislation in Ontario.

Canada, like all the world, faces an ongoing extinction crisis. We face permanent elimination of numerous species as documented by the Government of Ontario (https://www.ontario.ca/page/species-risk-ontario#section-5 )

As an ecologist with decades of professional experience I can affirm that habitat destruction is the dominant driver of biodiversity loss. Thus, it is appropriate that Ontario’s current Endangered Species Act includes habitat protection provisions for threatened and endangered species. Bill 5 would remove these protections, replacing them with illogical and unscientific plant and animal habitat definitions.

The definition of "habitat" will be completely altered to only include the dens and nests of animals, and immediate root system of plants. Forests trees and wetland, and other plants rely on a much greater area for survival than just their "critical root zones" Likewise, animals require foraging habitats, breeding grounds, and migration stop-overs. Just as people require more than an Apartment for urban living, so fauna need far more than a nest site

Thus, in a series of Trumpian moves, the act:

eliminates protection and recovery objectives

eschews science

redefines habitat to narrowly cover areas, like dens and nests

makes the adding and removing of species discretionary, rather than science-based

deprives federally listed aquatic species and migratory birds of provincial protections

allows damaging activities to go ahead as long as they are registered

replaces species needs with proponents’ desire for speedy development

In summary: Repealing the Endangered Species Act destroys one of the few tools through which we can protect at-risk wildlife and plants, and the ecosystems on which they depend. The propsed legislation’s vague “goals” and unenforceable measures will lead to the further declines of endangered species. This deregulation puts short-term industrial gain ahead of long-term ecological and community health.

Protecting nature is no barrier to economic growth. It is the foundation of a healthy, resilient, and just society.

I urge the Ontario government to withdraw Bill 5 entirely and, instead, work with environmental experts, Indigenous leaders, and the public to strengthen — not dismantle — our systems of environmental protection.