As a concerned citizen of…

As a concerned citizen of Ontario deeply committed to environmental protection and the rights of Indigenous peoples, I strongly oppose the proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and the new Species Conservation Act, 2025.

These changes represent a dangerous step backward for Ontario’s biodiversity, our collective stewardship responsibilities, and the future health of our ecosystems. The proposed legislation would weaken habitat protections, centralize decision-making power, and give increased leeway to industrial developers—all at the expense of species already on the brink of extinction. This is not just bad policy; it is a moral failure.

The original ESA (2007) was globally regarded as one of the most science-based and precautionary species protection laws in North America. Undermining its core principles by prioritizing economic expedience over ecological integrity directly contradicts the recommendations of leading conservation authorities, including the David Suzuki Foundation, which warns that "watering down protections... could cause irreparable harm to Ontario’s wildlife and natural heritage." Likewise, WWF Canada’s Living Planet Report identifies habitat loss as the primary driver of biodiversity decline in Canada—precisely what these proposals would accelerate.

We must also recognize the deep relationship between Indigenous communities and the land. These proposed changes do not respect the principles of free, prior, and informed consent. They threaten not only the species at risk but also Indigenous rights, governance, and cultural continuity tied to land and wildlife stewardship.

Ontario is at a crossroads. We can either choose short-term industrial gains or act with courage to protect what makes this province ecologically rich and resilient. Please scrap these proposals and instead strengthen the ESA with genuine, science-based, and Indigenous-led conservation approaches.

The land cannot speak for itself—it falls to us to do so. Do not betray the trust we hold as stewards of this province’s living systems.

Sincerely,
Elisabeth