I am writing to express my…

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025-0380

Comment ID

126199

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I am writing to express my vehement opposition to the Ontario government’s reckless dismantling of the Endangered Species Act and wildlife protections under Premier Doug Ford. This legislation isn’t just an attack on biodiversity—it’s a direct threat to **food security, farmland viability, and clean water** that all Ontarians depend on.

By slashing protections for at-risk species and habitats, this government is accelerating the degradation of **arable land and watersheds** that sustain local agriculture. Wetlands, forests, and pollinators aren’t abstract concerns—they’re the bedrock of resilient food systems. When species like bees and native plants decline, so too does the productivity of Ontario’s farmland. This isn’t "red tape reduction"; it’s **short-sighted sabotage of our ecological and economic future**.

Moreover, this bill **violates Indigenous sovereignty** by sidelining meaningful consultation with First Nations, as required by the *United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)* and Canadian law. Indigenous communities have stewarded these lands for millennia, and their knowledge is critical to sustainable resource management. To ignore this is not just irresponsible—it’s **a moral and legal failure**.

The government’s claim that these rollbacks "support development" is a lie. What they actually support is **short-term profit for private interests** at the expense of:
- **Food security** (e.g., collapsing pollinator populations = higher crop failure risks),
- **Clean water** (wetlands destruction = more flooding and contamination),
- **Public trust** (by ignoring science and public outcry).

I demand this legislation be **immediately withdrawn** and replaced with policies that:
1. **Restore science-based protections** for species and ecosystems,
2. **Prioritize Indigenous-led conservation**,
3. **Safeguard farmland and watersheds** from unchecked industrial exploitation.

The Ford government’s agenda is a direct threat to **both nature and Ontarians’ well-being**. We cannot—and will not—accept legislation that trades our children’s future for corporate handouts.