As an environmental chemist…

As an environmental chemist who has grown up and currently lives in rural Ontario, I am writing to express my concern regarding several aspects of the proposed Species Conservation Act, 2025.

While I fully acknowledge Ontario’s urgent need to address the housing crisis (one of the issues that I care most about) and support a growing population, including streamlining development where appropriate, I believe strongly that such efforts must be grounded in science, not political discretion.

I have three key issues with the proposed changes.

First, I am particularly troubled by the proposal to allow the government to override the species list developed by COSSARO, an independent scientific body. This undermines the integrity of the entire process. Science-based classification is essential for the credibility and effectiveness of species protection. Allowing political interference introduces avoidable uncertainty, bias, and long-term and irreversible ecological impacts.

Second, removing the term "harass" from the list of prohibited actions also severely weakens protections for species that are sensitive to stress or disturbance. Many species can be pushed toward decline not only through direct harm but by persistent disruption of their nesting, feeding, or reproductive behavior.

Finally, the proposed narrowing of the definition of “habitat” to only immediate nesting or root zones is also deeply concerning. In my professional experience, ecosystems are interconnected, and species rely on broader ecological networks for their survival. Disregarding this complexity for the sake of expedience ignores decades of research in environmental science and conservation biology.

Ontario’s environment, including its wetlands, forests, and biodiversity, is one of our most valuable resources. It underpins public health, climate resilience, and long-term economic stability. Let me be clear: conservation and development are NOT mutually exclusive, but we must ensure that the former is not sacrificed for short-term gains.

I urge the government to reconsider these elements of the proposal and to restore a science-based approach to species protection. We can build responsibly and safeguard our natural heritage at the same time.

Sincerely,
CJ
Environmental Chemist