I grew up in part on a farm…

I grew up in part on a farm in Campbellville, Ontario. During my childhood our barn rafters were covered in barn swallow nests, stacked one beside the other, with chicks visible and squeaking when their parents arrived with food for them. I was surprised when ten years ago I noticed that the barn rafters had maybe three nests each, at least 70% less than was usual. The last time I visited the barn it seemed to have maybe one nest per rafter. I am saddened to learn that barn swallows - that cheerful, beautiful and incredibly helpful fellow farm resident - are now considered a threatened species by both Ontario and Canada.

This bird species, and so many others that play essential roles in our ecosystems, has drastically reduced in numbers due to our species destroying habitat, using pesticides, creating climate change, and so many other harms. We have lost three billion birds since 1970, just in North America.

I urge the Ontario government to protect at-risk birds. They control pests, act as nature's garbage-cleaners, and provide untold environmental services that we are barely beginning to understand.
I urge the province to make significant investments in programs to protect and recover Ontario’s birds and their habitats.

I urge the Ontario government to step up and take actions for the recovery of at-risk birds.