I am opposed to Bill 5. …

I am opposed to Bill 5. Tariffs are being used as an excuse to undermine legitimate environmental concerns and remove protection for endangered species!

Canada, along with the rest of the world, is facing an extinction crisis. Animals like the Eastern Wolf, Woodland Caribou and Rusty-patched Bumble Bee; and plants like the Black Ash, Butternut, and Ginseng; are on the verge of disappearing altogether. Once gone, they will never return.

Scientists agree that habitat destruction is the main driver of biodiversity loss. Ontario’s current Endangered Species Act includes habitat protection provisions for threatened and endangered species. But to “unleash” development, Bill 5 would remove these protections, substituting absurd definitions of plant and animal habitat.

Recovery plans? Eliminated.

Science-based conservation? Ignored.

Nature’s Rights? Trampled.

Bill 5 is a misguided attempt to confine nature to the smallest possible area, allowing unchecked development everywhere else. This puts endangered species on a path to extinction, and humans as well. We depend on pollinators for our food. We depend on trees to maintain healthy water cycles. We depend on predators to keep down the carriers of tick populations that spread Lyme disease.

I believe in standing up for nature — and that means fighting Bill 5 at every turn. We’re advocating for Rights of Nature and we do this humbly, knowing that Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island have put similar concepts into practice since time immemorial.

Please consider nature before profit!