I am born and raised in…

I am born and raised in Ontario and continue to be a resident here.

The current environmental protections being “too difficult and complicated” is a pathetic excuse for gutting the Endangered Species Act in a transparent attempt to make it easier for developers in league with Doug Ford to conduct their business without concern or responsibility for our shared ecological habitat, diversity and resources.

As we’re seeing intensifying climate change impacts and ecological degradation, we need stronger conservation and environmental protections, not a roll back so Ford can continue to do what he likes with fewer consequences.

Our endangered species and local and regional ecosystems are more precious than ever. We have uniquely fertile farmland at a time when both climate change and geopolitics are making it more important than ever to protect our ability to grow our own food. This land produces enough food to feed millions. This land and its protected ecosystems ensure we have clean water. This land can only provide these functions if we continue to protect it. And, once we start losing endangered and protected species we cannot get them back.

This bill is unethical and irresponsible. It serves developers who stand to make great profit at the expense of the health and prosperity of millions of Ontarians and Canadians, and at the expense of irreparable biodiversity loss.

A majority mandate does not exempt you from the responsibility and duty to govern in the interests of all Ontarians, not just the private interests of Mr. Ford.

MPPs, stand up for Ontarians and stand up for our environment. Do not allow our environmental protections to be wiped away. Don’t allow Ontario to become a place of backward environmental policy in the era of climate change and global biodiversity loss. Keep our government accountable for being a leader on environmental and economic policy.