I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed changes to Ontario's Endangered Species Act (ESA) under the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. These changes threaten biodiversity and undermine essential protections for endangered species. The shift to a registration-first system allows activities to commence without thorough environmental assessments, risking harm to endangered species and their habitats. Additionally, the redefinition of "habitat" and the removal of "harass" from protections diminish the scope of conservation efforts, potentially allowing damaging activities in critical breeding and rearing areas. Granting the government discretion to add or remove species from the protected list undermines scientific assessments by COSSARO, risking politically motivated decisions that could lead to extinctions. The elimination of mandatory recovery strategies and management plans reduces accountability and the likelihood of effective conservation measures for endangered species. Furthermore, exempting certain federally protected species from provincial protections could result in increased habitat destruction and insufficient safeguards for all at-risk species. Finally, the consultation process has not adequately engaged local communities and Indigenous peoples, who are vital to effective conservation efforts. These proposed changes represent a significant threat to Ontario's biodiversity, and I urge the government to strengthen the ESA instead of weakening it, ensuring robust protections for endangered species and their habitats for future generations.