I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed Species Conservation Act and the repeal of the Endangered Species Act. This legislation represents a major step backward for biodiversity protection in Ontario.

By narrowing the definition of species-at-risk habitat, removing the requirement for recovery strategies, and giving the government broad discretion to add or remove species from the at-risk list, this proposal undermines the scientific and transparent foundations that have guided species protection for decades.

The shift to a registration-based system for activities impacting at-risk species prioritizes industrial and development interests over ecological health. Furthermore, removing provincial protections for aquatic species and migratory birds weakens our collective responsibility to steward Ontario’s natural heritage.

Ontario’s wildlife and ecosystems are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Weakening legal protections at this time will accelerate the decline of vulnerable species and diminish the natural systems that sustain us all.

I urge the Government of Ontario to maintain and strengthen science-based protections under the Endangered Species Act rather than replace them with a framework that leaves species more vulnerable. A healthy economy depends on a healthy environment, one that includes all species, not just those convenient for development.