I am deeply concerned about…

I am deeply concerned about the proposed amendments to Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. These changes represent a significant step backward in protecting our province’s biodiversity and natural heritage. The proposed reforms risk prioritizing short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability, which could lead to irreversible damage to vulnerable species and their habitats. By shifting decision-making power away from independent scientific bodies to political authorities, the process becomes less transparent and more susceptible to influence by special interests.

Weakening habitat protections will fragment ecosystems, disrupting the delicate balance necessary for species survival and reducing Ontario’s resilience to climate change. The reduction in mandatory monitoring and enforcement provisions means that violations of species protection could go unchecked, undermining the effectiveness of the Act. The proposed changes also diminish public participation and oversight, limiting community involvement in conservation efforts and reducing accountability.

Protecting endangered species is not just about preserving wildlife-it is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems that provide clean air, water, and other benefits critical to all Ontarians. I urge the government to reconsider these amendments and uphold strong, science-based protections that ensure the survival of Ontario’s endangered species for generations to come.