The proposed repeal of the…

The proposed repeal of the Endangered Species Act, 2007, and its replacement with the Species Conservation Act, 2025, is deeply concerning as it prioritizes economic development over ecological responsibility. By narrowing the definition of “habitat,” eliminating mandatory recovery strategies, and allowing development to begin before environmental impacts are fully assessed, the government is effectively stripping away critical protections for Ontario’s most vulnerable species. Granting political discretion over which species receive protection further undermines science-based decision-making, and the creation of Special Economic Zones where environmental laws can be bypassed sets a dangerous precedent. This is not responsible governance—it’s deregulation disguised as conservation, and it puts long-term biodiversity and ecosystem health at serious risk.