The need for housing and…

The need for housing and development is a pressing concern for many Ontarians. However, the proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 are not a responsible or effective means of addressing this issue.

As a society, we must not compromise the protection of our native wildlife, ecosystems, and endangered species in exchange for expedited development approvals. Such a trade-off is short-sighted and ultimately detrimental to both our environment and future generations.

The recent developments at Ontario Place are deeply troubling. The destruction of public land has resulted in the loss of vital habitats, native plant life, and the displacement of countless animals. This raises serious questions about our priorities—should we sacrifice cherished public outdoor spaces for a foreign-owned mega spa that provides little to no benefit to Ontarians? The increased presence of coyotes in downtown Toronto is a direct consequence of habitat destruction at Ontario Place, underscoring the real-world impacts of these choices.

Weakening the ESA will pave the way for similar projects that disregard ecological integrity. These changes threaten our already fragile environment and offer limited, if any, benefit to the broader public.

While I sympathize with the urgent need for affordable housing, the core issue is not a lack of units but affordability. The city is currently experiencing a surplus of condominiums—solutions must target affordability without further degrading our natural heritage.

I urge the government to reconsider these revisions and to pursue development strategies that respect ecological boundaries. Countries like Japan have demonstrated that it is possible to create spaces where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously. Ontario can—and should—aspire to do the same.

Please do not allow further policy decisions that risk irreversible harm to our province’s ecosystems and biodiversity.