To whom it may concern, I am…

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 5 – Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. As a resident of Ontario who cares deeply about our environment and wildlife — particularly birds — I am very concerned that this legislation will put birds and their habitats at grave risk.

Birds are an essential part of our ecosystems: they help disperse seeds, control insect populations, pollinate plants, and give joy to our daily lives. Any law that significantly weakens protections for birds or their habitats is unacceptable.

Bill 5 proposes to repeal the longstanding Endangered Species Act, 2007, replacing it with the much weaker Species Conservation Act, 2025. The new framework shifts many critical decisions away from independent science-based processes and appears to give the Minister and the Cabinet broad discretion to exempt projects from protections. 

Among many alarming changes:
• The bill excludes from application many migratory birds and aquatic species listed under the federal Species at Risk Act, meaning their provincial protections may be weakened or removed. 
• It allows for the creation of “special economic zones” where normal environmental protections can be suspended for designated projects and “trusted proponents”. 
• It reduces or eliminates obligations in recovery strategies, reporting, and habitat protection that were previously mandated under the Endangered Species Act. 

These changes send a clear message: economic development is being prioritized over safeguarding nature, biodiversity, and birds. This is a dangerous precedent — once protections are weakened, species decline tends to accelerate, and the natural services birds provide (which ultimately benefit human communities too) are lost.

I strongly urge you to oppose Bill 5 (in its current form) and to demand amendments that will restore robust science-based protections for birds and other wildlife. Please ensure that:
• Habitats for birds (and other species) are clearly defined and protected, not treated as optional.
• Independent science bodies continue to determine species at risk, not solely government discretion.
• Developers and proponents cannot circumvent protections by being designated “trusted” or operating in “special economic zones.”
• Public consultation, transparency, and accountability remain central to any decisions affecting wildlife.

Thank you for your attention. The future of our birds — and indeed our environment — depends on the choices made today.