The proposed changes to the…

The proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act are a serious step backward for environmental protection in Ontario. Shifting to a “registration-first” model prioritizes speed and economic growth over the careful, science-based review necessary to truly protect endangered species. By allowing projects to proceed immediately after registration, critical oversight will be lost, leading to greater risk of harm to species and their habitats. Giving government discretion to remove species from the protected list further politicizes what should remain a strictly science-driven process. Weakening the definitions of “habitat” and removing “harassment” protections strips away important safeguards that currently help ensure species’ survival. Conservation cannot be effectively achieved through voluntary programs and after-the-fact enforcement. The proposed changes may boost short-term development, but they will cause long-term, irreversible damage to Ontario’s biodiversity.