I fail to see how gutting…

I fail to see how gutting legal protections for endangered species will somehow aid in their survival. Stripping away oversight and allowing developers to proceed on a “register first, comply later” basis places enormous trust in profit-driven entities—trust that is neither earned nor warranted. Having worked in a blue-collar industry, I’ve witnessed firsthand the disregard many contractors and employers have for environmental concerns. Without firm, enforceable laws, most will do the bare minimum—or worse, skirt the rules entirely.

This proposal fits a disturbing pattern we’ve seen from the Ford government: prioritize development at any cost, then backpedal when caught. Just look at Ontario Place West Island—a vital stopover for migratory birds in an increasingly urbanized city. Despite its ecological significance and public value, it was carved up for a private spa development. Protections were ignored, public consultation was superficial, and the whole plan unraveled when it became clear the developers were unqualified and the government had misled the public.

If even our elected officials can’t be trusted to act in good faith with public lands and ecosystems, why should we believe that corporations will voluntarily protect sensitive species and habitats without legal mandates? This shift isn’t about balance—it’s about deregulation dressed up in conservation language, and the consequences for Ontario’s biodiversity could be irreversible.