These changes cannot be…

These changes cannot be allowed to pass, as the current government has been known to disproportionately disfavour environmental protection over questionable gains.

For example, the Greenbelt changes were nonconstructive, in that housing built far away from metropolitan centres serves little purpose for the intended audience, young Canadians looking to buy their first home. Meanwhile, developers reaped the benefits, being allowed to wantonly build inconvenient, expensive properties and profiting massively.

Thus, it is dangerous for Ontario's environment to allow the provincial government to intervene in determining a species' worthiness of protection, as they will almost always vote against them in the name of economic progress.

In addition, the downsizing of the definition of habitat, and the narrowing of range of activities that require permits will exacerbate the already fragile ecological health of Ontario. Harassment of any species absolutely cannot be overlooked; stressful environments will cause unintended and harmful effects to any and all species living in it.

Finally, Ontario, and particularly the Greater Toronto Area, has ways to improve housing, transit and infrastructure within its current boundaries. Investments in denser housing, public transit, and amending zoning laws all have been proven to be effective in cities all around the world, such as Tokyo, Paris, London, Hong Kong, and many, many more. They are also beneficial to the provincial economy, create tightly-knit communities, and reduce pollution. None of these require new land to be developed.

There is no sufficient reason for the Endangered Species Act, 2007 to be repealed. In fact, it must be kept in place, for the sake of our beautiful province, and Ontario has many choices that can maintain the status quo, if it is indeed committed to protecting its ecological environment.