The environmental permitting…

The environmental permitting process exists for good reason: to keep developers and other bad actors accountable for their actions. Removing this step from the development process, even to build more homes, can only result in abuse of our natural ecosystems in Ontario. By stating that current permitting regulations are to "complex" for Ontarions to decipher, does this government think its constituents are too dumb to understand the implications of the Species At Risk Act (2025)?

The Endangered Species Act (2007) is a science-based approach to conservation that has proved successful in this province. What is most upsetting about gutting the current system to replace it with a weak replacement is that it strips the requirement to have a scientist evaluate projects during environmental assessments. Do we not value science? What has happened to evidence-based action and scientifically-backed approaches?

There is no evidence that irreparably degrading the Province's biodiversity will improve the life of Ontarions.

The current government ran an election earlier this year searching for a 'mandate from Ontarions' to represent us and promised transparency. This proposal stands in direct contrast to 'transparent government', instead predicting a future where developers who have 'paid to play' can cut any corners they want without supervision while exploiting the designated "economic coridors" that coincidentally are home to many of identified species-at-risk.

We expect more from our government and we DESERVE more than a poorly written and shoddily proposed Species At Risk Act that will surely destroy biodiversity in Ontario during a time when climate change is threatening the environmental health of this province.