I do not support the…

I do not support the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and the introduction of the Species Conservation Act, 2025. While streamlining processes may offer benefits to development projects, these amendments significantly weaken Ontario’s commitments to species protection and conservation.

The shift to a registration-first model prioritizes speed and economic growth over careful, science-based environmental decision-making. Reducing habitat definitions, removing “harass” from species protections, and eliminating the requirement for recovery strategies undermine the integrity of species at risk legislation. Conservation must be guided by science, transparency, and precaution—not discretion and deregulation.

Ontario has a responsibility to future generations to uphold strong protections for biodiversity. I urge the government to reconsider this approach and maintain robust legal safeguards for species at risk.