The proposed interim changes…

The proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007—paired with a new Species Conservation Act, 2025—sound like a significant shift in how Ontario manages species at risk. The fact that these changes are being introduced with relatively little consideration to ecological function and species preservation is frustrating, especially considering the implications they could have on established protections, permitting pathways, and restoration efforts.

It’s one thing to modernize or improve legislation, but too often “interim changes” end up meaning weakened protections under the guise of efficiency or flexibility. This could have serious implications for how species like the American Eel, Barn Swallow, or Blanding’s Turtle are managed — particularly in development contexts where pressure to “streamline” often overrides ecological considerations.

This is exactly the kind of shift that needs a strong, informed response from professionals, scientists, and the public alike, and maybe instead of streamlining the process by reducing protections, especially considering how critical the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), why not provide the MECP and SAR branch the resources that they need in order to process permits faster?