Hello, I am wiring to…

Hello, I am wiring to express my concern about the proposed interim changes to the ESA.

The proposed shift to a registration-first approach in Ontario's Endangered Species Act is pretty concerning when it comes to protecting endangered species and their habitats. This change would let activities start right after registration, skipping the thorough environmental assessments that are so important for figuring out how these actions might impact vulnerable species. By speeding things up like this, it seems like the focus is more on development than on keeping our ecosystems healthy, which could lead to serious damage to critical habitats. Without those detailed assessments, we’re looking at a higher risk of habitat destruction and pollution, which could really harm species that are already struggling.

On top of that, this approach could make it easier for companies to overlook the environmental consequences of their actions. It’s also disappointing to see a lack of meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities, who have valuable knowledge and a long history of caring for the land. Ignoring their input really misses the mark on what effective conservation should look like. Overall, this registration-first model feels like it’s prioritizing short-term economic benefits over the long-term health of our ecosystems, which isn’t good news for wildlife or for the future of Ontario’s natural spaces. It would be wise for the government to rethink this approach to ensure that endangered species and their habitats get the protection they truly need.