I must express serious…

I must express serious concern regarding the proposed repeal of the Endangered Species Act, 2007, and its replacement with the Species Conservation Act, 2025.
While I recognize the importance of creating efficient regulatory frameworks, true conservation requires more than administrative efficiency, it demands a science-based commitment to protecting the ecosystems on which species depend.
Species do not exist in isolation. Their survival is intimately tied to the integrity of the landscapes they inhabit, wetlands, forests, dunes, grasslands, rivers, and shorelines.
Habitat is not just a nest or a den; it is the sum of all ecological interactions necessary to sustain life: food sources, breeding areas, migration corridors, and climate refuges.
To narrow the legal definition of habitat to only “dwelling places” risks undermining the very foundation of ecological conservation. Furthermore, removing the word “harass” from protective language may seem minor, but it has profound implications. Many species, especially during breeding or migration, are highly sensitive to disturbance.
Noise, light, or the mere presence of humans or machinery can disrupt reproductive success or cause nest abandonment, threats that are invisible yet deeply damaging.
Perhaps most concerning is the proposed shift toward discretionary government authority over species listings. Conservation decisions must remain firmly rooted in science, not political or economic pressures.
COSSARO exists to provide independent, evidence-based assessments of species status. Undermining its authority risks delaying protections until it is too late!
We are facing a global biodiversity crisis. Ontario’s native species, many already vulnerable, cannot afford weaker protections.
Habitat loss is the leading cause of species decline worldwide. If we are serious about conservation, we must defend not only the individual animals and plants, but the living systems that support them.
I urge the Ministry to maintain strong, science-informed legal protections for habitat in its full ecological scope. The health of our ecosystems and the survival of future generations depends on it.