I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed repeal of the Endangered Species Act, and enactment of the new "Species Conservation Act, 2025 (SCA)". As a wildlife biologist, I am confident that the aforementioned changes to legislation will be detrimental for Ontarians and Ontario's Species at Risk.

Firstly, the power to de-list species at risk, and remove protections for these species, should not fall to a partisan entity. There is not a single member of the current provincial cabinet that is qualified or capable of determining whether or not a given species requires legislative protections/conservation intervention. We already have a non-partisan, expert group of scientists that inform listing decisions - COSSARO. If our government has the power to unilaterally remove protections for species at risk, the agenda of the current government will undoubtedly influence these decisions. We already saw how corruption and partisan agenda can influence Doug Ford's government in the Auditor General of Ontario's 2023 report, outlining bias in the Greenbelt land selection process.

Secondly, the habitat definitions for Species at Risk must remain robust, and must be inclusive of all life processes, not just "core" components. Travel corridors, foraging areas, hunting grounds, and other broad habitat features are required for an animal to persist. If animals cannot travel from one "core" area to another, don't have the space necessary to escape temporary stressors (human presence, fire, floods, etc), or don't have the required habitat to hunt and forage, they will die. Protecting habitat, and ensuring it is not degraded by human activity, is the single most important factor in conserving biodiversity.

Lastly, the establishment of a new "Species Conservation Program", that will replace the "Species at Risk Stewardship Program", is not sufficient to mitigate the damages done to Species at Risk by removing protections. This proposal promises "up to" 20 million in "voluntary" conservation activities. This proposal has not detailed how this funding will be dispersed, what the new priority activities will be, or whether the concept of "net zero loss" will even be addressed. The most economically efficient way to protect Species at Risk is to simply not develop the habitat that they require. Without details about the program, there is no guarantee that this money will benefit Species at Risk at all. This program could result in a glorified 20 million dollar marketing/public relations campaign for proponents that the provincial government has already shown favour for.

This government cannot continue to use Species at Risk protections, and other environmental protections as a scapegoat for the mismanagement crisis that is currently affecting Ontario's housing market and infrastructure. Removing protections for Species at Risk will simply promote rushed, poorly-planned development projects. Ontarians have the right to nature, biodiversity, and the preservation of species that are integral to our culture and lifestyle. Our Provincial Government has the responsibility to protect Species at Risk. The proposed repeal of the Endangered Species Act, and enactment of the new "Species Conservation Act, 2025 (SCA)" will be a direct negligence of responsibility by the Ontario Government.