I am deeply concerned that…

I am deeply concerned that this dangerous rollback of biodiversity protections could accelerate species extinctions and ecosystem collapse. This is being done in the name of fast-tracking economic development, but it puts at risk the very nature that sustains us with clean water and food, cooling, flood mitigation and carbon storage.  
 
Bill 5 would put unprecedented power into the hands of the Ontario government, giving Ministers the authority to ignore local communities, Indigenous rightsholders, independent scientists and all municipal and provincial laws with zero accountability. 

Protecting nature isn’t just an environmental imperative, it’s a smart economic investment. Ecosystem services like clean water, pollination and climate regulation contribute billions of dollars to Ontario’s economy each year. 

Ontario’s endangered species are not red tape to be removed. To date, this government’s continued dismantling of environmental protections has not spurred economic growth as intended. 

Once a leader in nature protection, the Ontario government now seems set on dismantling the laws that have contributed to the prosperity of our province. I implore you to reconsider this piecemeal dismantling of environmental laws.  

Please uphold our duty to future generations through strong protections for species at risk that safeguard wildlife and nature.

Thank you for this opportunity to comment.