As a resident of Ontario and…

As a resident of Ontario and a strong supporter of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, to which Canada is a state party, I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 5. If passed, Bill 5 would grant the Cabinet of Premier Douglas Ford the power to decide which species deserve protection, effectively making protection a political choice, not a scientific one. It would define animal “habitat” to mean only the nest, den, or immediate area around it — not the forests, wetlands or feeding grounds they need to survive. Cabinet is allowed to further narrow that definition. This would leave species that are already in decline due to habitat loss without their basic needs for survival.

Currently, land developers must apply for permits when projects threaten species or their habitat. These applications are reviewed by environmental experts and come with requirements to reduce harm. If Bill 5 were to become law, there would no longer be a review or any obligation to consider safer alternatives. This process would harm the constitutional rights of Indigenous people and undermine biodiversity. Nor is the registry required to be public, which is undemocratic.

I urge the Ontario government to reject Bill 5 and continue to adhere to the terms of Ontario's Endangered Species Act. Thank you for your time and consideration.