I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) under the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025” and the forthcoming Species Conservation Act (SCA). These changes do not represent balanced reform. They represent a fundamental weakening of species protections in Ontario—one that prioritizes economic expedience and developer convenience over ecological responsibility.

While efficiency in approvals is a valid goal, this proposal goes too far, too fast, and places far too much trust in the private sector’s ability to self-regulate, especially when financial interests are at stake.

1. The shift to a “registration-first” model invites abuse.
Allowing most projects to proceed immediately after online registration—without prior review—removes essential oversight. It places the burden of compliance on developers and assumes they will act in good faith. When habitat destruction is cheaper than mitigation, profit will almost always win out over precaution.

2. Scientific expertise is being overridden by political discretion.
The continued role of COSSARO is irrelevant if the government retains final say on whether a species is protected. This change opens the door for economic interests to override conservation science, particularly when politically connected industries are involved.

3. Critical habitat protections are being gutted.
The narrowed definition of habitat excludes foraging areas, migratory routes, and seasonal grounds—elements that are essential to a species’ survival. These changes benefit land developers by shrinking the areas subject to environmental constraints.

4. Removing mandatory recovery planning eliminates accountability.
Without legal obligations to produce recovery strategies or review progress, the government is no longer accountable for actually helping species recover. Instead, we are left with vague “guidance” that relies on voluntary action from industries incentivized to do the bare minimum.

5. Dismantling advisory bodies silences transparency and public trust.
Eliminating the Species at Risk Program Advisory Committee removes a crucial mechanism for public and expert oversight. This centralizes power in the ministry and weakens democratic accountability.

These changes are being proposed during a time of national distraction, when Ontario residents are recovering from a federal election and attention is focused elsewhere. It is difficult not to view the timing—and the language of economic urgency—as a deliberate attempt to push through changes that will benefit developers and industry interests at the cost of Ontario’s natural heritage.

Conservation should not be politicized. Protections for endangered species should not be weakened to speed up approvals. And biodiversity should not be gambled on goodwill when profit is on the line.

I urge the government to reject this bill and reaffirm its commitment to science-based, enforceable conservation measures that serve the long-term interests of both the province’s environment and its people.