This is ridiculous. I…

This is ridiculous. I support many in Ontario with concerns about this potential change and harm to our ecosystem. Shame on the Ford government for putting our environment and the animals at risk for gains. Please force appropriate transparency and consultation.

Rollback of key safeguards opens the door to unchecked harm against species at risk

Traditional territories of several First Nations including the Williams Treaties First Nations, Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation: In an appalling move that tramples over Indigenous rights, environmental protections, and community consultation, the Ford government today introduced the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025” — legislation that slashes regulatory oversight, silences local voices, and opens the floodgates to unchecked mining and industrial development.

The Bill would abandon Ontario’s commitment to protecting species and ensuring their recovery. The Species Conservation Act would replace the strict criteria for habitat protection with a discretionary regime. This regime would offer very limited protection to only a tiny fraction of the habitats species need to survive and recover.

For example, the Bill would narrow the definition of “habitat” for animals to exclude areas outside of dwelling places and the immediate area around it. For example, the habitat for a fox might consist only of its den and an area essential for the den. The den would have to be currently occupied or habitually occupied. The new legislation would also eliminate provincial protection for federally listed migratory birds and aquatic species — many of which are not adequately protected under Federal legislation, leaving significant gaps.

The Act would replace the science-based listing and permitting process, and give the government broad discretion to refuse to protect species and their habitats.

“The Ontario government is using the trade war as cover for its war on species.” said Laura Bowman, Staff Lawyer at Ecojustice. “There is no evidence that sacrificing our biodiversity, and running roughshod over our most precious and vulnerable natural assets will benefit Ontarians. The only thing that has been ‘unleashed’ with this bill is an irrational vendetta against vulnerable ecosystems, plants, and animals.”