As a resident of Ontario…

As a resident of Ontario deeply concerned about our province’s natural heritage, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed changes outlined .The Endangered Species Act has been instrumental in protecting Ontario’s biodiversity. Replacing it with legislation that prioritizes economic considerations over ecological integrity is a step backward.

Key concerns include:
-Reduced Protections: The proposed shift to a registration-first approach could allow activities that harm species and habitats to proceed with minimal oversight.
-Weakened Habitat Definitions: Redefining “habitat” could exclude critical areas necessary for species survival, undermining conservation efforts.
-Discretionary Listings: Allowing the government discretion to list or delist species, even when scientific assessments indicate risk, politicizes conservation decisions.

Ontario is home to over 230 species at risk. Weakening protections not only threatens these species but also the ecosystems we all depend on. I urge the government to reconsider these changes and uphold strong, science-based protections for our province’s biodiversity