Strong Opposition to…

Strong Opposition to Proposed Changes to the Endangered Species Act and the Species Conservation Act, 2025

As a long-time resident of Dresden, Ontario, I am writing to express my deep and serious concerns regarding the ERO posted by the Ontario government on April 17, 2025 proposing interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007, and introducing the Species Conservation Act, 2025.

This proposal cannot be viewed in isolation—especially by those of us in Dresden who are already under threat from the revocation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) requirement for a proposed landfill at 29831 Irish School Road (ERO 025-0389). These two EROs are inextricably linked.

If the EA requirement under Regulation 284/24 is revoked, it could have a devastating domino effect—beginning with Molly’s Creek, a highly sensitive watershed that supports endangered species. That creek flows directly into the Sydenham River, then through Wallaceburg, into the Snye, and ultimately to Walpole Island, part of the Bkejwanong Territory.

The impact on the ecosystem, wildlife, and Indigenous communities downstream could be irreversible. These waterways support not only biodiversity, but the cultural practices and traditional way of life of Indigenous Peoples—who depend on healthy land and water to survive and thrive.

This proposal for changes to the Endangered Species Act is particularly disturbing because it would give the provincial government broad discretionary powers to redefine what counts as an endangered species—at any time. That is frightening.

Endangered species are not a matter of opinion or convenience.
They are on the list because of years—if not decades—of environmental degradation, loss of habitat, pollution, and climate change. If they are removed from the list to serve political or economic goals, we are actively accelerating the permanent extinction of species that are vital to Ontario’s ecosystems.

In Dresden, we are already fighting against the placement of a landfill near our community—an issue that threatens public health, the environment, and local ecosystems. Now we are being asked to accept a proposal that could strip protections from the very endangered species that live near this proposed landfill.

If both ERO 025-0389 and the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act are approved, what checks and balances are in place to prevent the government from simply removing species from the protected list to clear the path for projects like this landfill?

What kind of Ontario do we want to live in?

This is a moment for courageous and responsible governance—not for weakened environmental protections and legislative overreach.

Premier Ford and the Ontario government: You were elected to represent the people.
The people are asking you to stop these reckless changes.
Do not pass this ERO. Do not abandon Ontario’s endangered species. Do not abandon its communities.

Ontario can—and must—do better.

Respectfully,
A concerned resident of Dresden, Ontario