I am deeply concerned about…

I am deeply concerned about the weakening of protections for Ontario’s at-risk species under Bill 5 and the proposed Species Conservation Act. Limiting habitat protection to only a species immediate dwelling place and removing provincial protections for dozens of species like the Redside Dace and Eastern Small-footed Bat, puts the survival of these species in serious jeopardy.

Ontario has a responsibility to safeguard biodiversity and maintain healthy ecosystems for future generations. Relying on voluntary actions and federal laws is not enough. The province must take leadership by restoring strong legal protections for habitats, maintaining a science based provincial species list, and investing in recovery programs.

I urge the Ontario government to strengthen, not weaken, our conservation framework and to ensure that all at-risk species, not just a select few, have the protection they need to survive and recover.