I am writing today to…

I am writing today to express my concerns about the recently proposed Bill 5 – Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. As a professional biologist, avid outdoors enthusiast, and lifelong resident of Ontario, I am disturbed to see the proposed changes to Endangered Species Act, 2007.

Preserving Ontario’s natural land cover is important for many reasons, but the biggest reason of all is for our own well-being. Healthy, intact ecosystems provide a myriad of benefits to humans, including provisioning services (e.g., food, water, lumber, fuel, medicines, and many other materials), regulating services (e.g., air purification, carbon sequestration, pollination, erosion prevention, flood prevention, waste decomposition, climate regulation, and so on), and cultural services (e.g., recreation, such as hunting, hiking, camping). Removing and reducing native forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other natural habitats will only harm us. We have already seen the consequences of ecosystem losses in Ontario. The resulting damage can lead to big economic losses for individuals, organizations, and the province itself; in some cases, the effects can cause people to lose their lives.

Of course, while preserving habitat is important for human health and well-being, there is intrinsic value in conserving natural spaces and the species that use them. As is well-documented and widely known, we are losing biodiversity at an alarming rate as a direct result of human actions. Ontario is home to many incredible species – birds and otherwise – that, through complex and often sensitive interactions, form the ecosystems that we see today. But those ecosystems were once much more common, much healthier, and more robust before so much of the land was developed. I recognize the significant challenge of the housing crisis, and certainly agree that processes themselves can be made more efficient, but removing protections from species at risk and recklessly fast-tracking development is not the solution, and should not be the sacrifice we make. It is a mistake that will be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse, with severe consequences for Ontarians. Due diligence and rigorous processes are a necessity.

The health of Ontario’s flora and fauna are a reflection of the health of the ecosystems we rely on and love, and removing protections for our species for wanton development will be detrimental for all living organisms in Ontario, including us. The protections in the Endangered Species Act should not be removed, and the definition of habitat should not be changed. The proposed new definition of habitat reveals a narrow understanding of how ecosystems and species work. Scientists and researchers – subject matter experts – should be the ones defining which species are in need of protections, not politicians. The recovery strategies developed by COSSARO for threatened and endangered species are necessary for directing conservation actions and creating plans to bring these species back from the brink. The actions included in these strategies are focused on working together with stakeholders to find solutions where humans can coexist with Ontario’s native flora and fauna. Having both federal and provincial protections for species is not redundant; the protections are not equivalent, and regardless having two layers of protection is always better than having only one.

I love living in Ontario, and a big part of that is the nature. I love birdwatching, but I also love documenting all the various plants, insects, mammals, amphibians and other organisms that make this place home. The various ecosystems and habitats in the province are so special and magical, and I love exploring all the different areas and learning more about the unique life histories and connections the species have. And like so many Ontarians, I just love being in the outdoors – the native outdoors. Canoeing, hiking, camping – all of these activities are so integral to the Canadian way of life, and they are only possible when we have large preserved nature spaces where we can partake in these activities.

The province of Ontario has a duty to protect nature, for both humans and all other lifeforms. When we neglect that duty, or turn our backs on it, we are doing ourselves harm. Ontario must protect habitat – as defined in the Endangered Species Act – for migratory birds and other flora and fauna.