The repeal of protections…

The repeal of protections for Ontario's endangered species through the proposed Omnibus Bill 5 is an unholy act against our planet. It is proscribing as "insignificant", over one hundred species, that are viewed as oppositional to Ontario's economic interests and not worth the Ford government's time. Their habitat is land to be used for industrial development. Their impact on agriculture is not considered. Their likely extinction will go undetected, as mechanisms for their protection are eliminated or drastically curtailed. This is a travesty in the making. The future of our locally-produced food supply, our wetlands, our soil, air and water quality will also diminish alongside. We can no longer take and take and take resources from our environment to fuel "endless growth".

I have seen in my lifetime, the destruction of Ontario's wild spaces, for endless urban sprawl. I've seen the harm to First Nations that have no clean drinking water, or their waterways are contaminated by pulp and paper effluent or mine tailings.

I've also seen decades of destructive industrial pollution of the Great Lakes, be rehabilitated to a significant degree. For example, the restoration of Coot's Paradise, a marshland in Hamilton which was once so fouled by Stelco's and Dofasco's waste and commercial DDT pesticide use that there was concern it was destroyed forever. It is now the sanctuary for Ontario's bald eagles which had all but disappeared in the province.

I urge all legislators to reaffirm and enshrine protections for all Ontario's wildlife, from the tiniest pollinator to the largest mammals. Scrap Bill 5!! Reinstate the Ontario Endangered Species Act!