A Dangerous Politicization…

A Dangerous Politicization of Species Protection

The proposal to allow the Minister to override COSSARO’s science-based listings is a blatant assault on evidence-based conservation. Stripping independent experts of their authority invites corruption, undermines public trust, and opens the door for developers and lobbyists to dictate which species live or die. This is not reform — it’s sabotage.

Gutting the Definition of Habitat to Serve Industry

By redefining “habitat” in the narrowest possible terms, the government is willfully ignoring decades of ecological science. This move will legalize the destruction of vital ecosystems — forests, wetlands, shorelines — simply because they are not directly occupied year-round. It’s an outrageous concession to industrial land users that will accelerate biodiversity collapse in Ontario.

Legalizing Harassment of Vulnerable Species

Removing the prohibition on “harassment” is nothing short of reckless. It strips protections from animals already pushed to the brink, allowing harmful human interference as long as it doesn’t cause “immediate” death or injury. This greenlights stress, displacement, and reproductive failure — slow deaths by a thousand cuts.

A Loophole-Laden Gift to Developers

The “registration-first” model is a Trojan horse for deregulation. It allows harmful projects to proceed instantly, without meaningful oversight or environmental assessment. This prioritizes speed and convenience for industry over precaution, due diligence, and protection of species that cannot speak or defend themselves.

Dismantling Recovery Efforts for Political Expediency

Eliminating the Species Conservation Action Agency and diverting its funds into general government control is a cynical move that consolidates power while eroding accountability. There is no guarantee that these funds will be used for anything resembling true recovery efforts. This is not streamlining — it is defunding conservation under a smokescreen of reform.

In Summary

This is a comprehensive rollback of species protections masquerading as efficiency. It weakens legal safeguards, disempowers experts, and puts threatened wildlife at the mercy of political and industrial interests. This is not modernization — it is environmental vandalism, and it must be withdrawn in its entirety.