As a biologist and former…

As a biologist and former environmental consultant and passionate birder, naturalist, and overall lover of nature, I strongly oppose the "Proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and a proposal for the Species Conservation Act, 2025", as outlined in ERO Number 025-0380.

While I understand the need to streamline processes, I am deeply concerned that shifting to a “registration-first” approach will allow most activities that could harm at-risk species or their habitats to proceed immediately after registration, without prior review by the Ministry. This removes an essential safeguard and increases the risk of irreversible harm to Ontario’s most vulnerable plants and animals.

Additionally, the new legislation would give the government discretion to add or remove species from the protected list, potentially undermining science-based assessments by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO). The proposed narrowing of the habitat definition and removal of “harass” from species protections further weakens safeguards for species at risk and their habitats.

Finally, eliminating requirements for the government to produce recovery strategies and management plans reduces government accountability, transparency in species protection efforts, and would lead to insufficient information and data to guide conservation and recovery efforts.

Ontario’s biodiversity is irreplaceable. As a society we have the moral responsibility to protect it both for its inherent value and for future generations of Ontarians.

I urge you to rescind these proposed changes and instead support strong, science-based protections for endangered species and their habitats.