The proposed bill raises…

The proposed bill raises serious concerns about its alignment with scientific integrity, Indigenous rights, and long-term ecological stewardship. While I acknowledge the complexity of balancing competing priorities, the current draft appears to disregard decades of work by scientists, conservationists, and First Nations communities who have dedicated themselves to protecting our shared environment.

The bill’s definitions and framework fail to incorporate established ecological principles or peer-reviewed research. For example, altering and narrowing habitat definitions that arguably render then more confusing in the practical application and therefore useless. Imagine if i tore down and altered your neighborhood and left your house with the front and backyard intact, you would likely deem it to be an unlivable situation. Effective policy must be grounded in collaboration with biologists, ecologists, and wildlife experts to avoid irreversible harm to endangered species and ecosystems.

First Nations communities, as original stewards of this land, hold invaluable knowledge about sustainable resource management. Meaningful consultation with these communities is not only a matter of justice but a practical necessity for crafting equitable and effective solutions. The absence of their input in this process is deeply troubling.

Dismantling protections under the Endangered Species Act—without evidence-based alternatives—jeopardizes biodiversity and undermines decades of progress. Rather than retreating from complexity, we should invest in innovative, science-driven strategies that address both environmental and economic needs.

I urge lawmakers to:

-Pause this bill until independent scientific review and Indigenous consultation are conducted.

-Collaborate with First Nations as equal partners in co-designing policies.

-Develop clear, science-aligned criteria for species and habitat protection.

-Prioritize accountability through transparent reporting and measurable outcomes.

The challenges we face demand courage, creativity, and collaboration—not expediency. Let us honor the legacy of those who fought to protect our natural world by ensuring this bill reflects the best of human ingenuity and respect for all life.

To those in positions to actually make change: History judges us not by the power we wield, but by how we use it. I implore you to choose a legacy of stewardship over short-term gains.