I’m writing as a concerned…

I’m writing as a concerned citizen about the changes proposed in Bill 185 to the Endangered Species Act. While I understand the need to build more housing and grow the economy, I’m very worried that these changes will weaken important protections for Ontario’s wildlife and natural spaces.

Some of my main concerns include:

Weaker habitat protections: Changing the definition of "habitat" could leave important areas unprotected, putting species at more risk.

Less focus on recovery: Giving the Minister the power to delay or skip recovery plans makes it less likely that endangered species will bounce back.

Letting projects start too soon: Allowing construction to begin before proper environmental reviews are finished could cause lasting damage.

Too much reliance on “offsetting”: Paying to protect nature somewhere else doesn't always make up for the damage done on-site.

Downloading responsibility: Leaving species protection up to municipalities may not work well if they don’t have enough expertise or resources.

I fully support the need for more housing, but I don’t think we have to sacrifice our environment to get there. In fact, we should focus on building more densely in areas that are already developed—like underused urban spaces—rather than spreading out into natural areas or farmland.

Doing this would not only help protect the environment, but also save money. When we build more homes within existing city boundaries, we can make better use of public transit and other services like roads, water, and schools. It’s much more efficient and cost-effective than having to build all-new infrastructure for far-flung developments.

Ontario’s natural areas are a big part of what makes this province a great place to live. Once we lose these spaces and the wildlife that depend on them, it’s very hard—sometimes impossible—to get them back. I hope the government will take a long-term view and make sure that development happens in a way that keeps both people and nature healthy.

Thank you for your time and for considering my concerns.

Sincerely,

Concerned London Ontario Citizen