I am a very concerned…

I am a very concerned Ontarian. Initially I was apalled by the Ford government's plan to scrap the greenbelt protections in the interest of earning billions more for already billionaire developers. Then I applauded Ford when he went back on this egregious decision. While I feel he never fully acknowledged the problem with nor the damage it would do to Ontario's environment and well-being of all Ontarians, I thought it was wise to reverse course. I actually warmed up to Ford!

Now this Bill 5 is terribly disappointing. There is no justification for weakening protections for species at risk in the interest of building homes. We can build many homes and still keep our environmental safeguards and our commitment to reconciliation and acknowledgement of indigenous communities in place. 

It is not an either/or proposition: environment/housing, please stop setting up this false dichotomy to the public. We need both a healthy economy AND a healthy environment!! Homes and our economy can only sustain people in a healthy and well-stewarded environment. Our well-being depends on it.

Repealing the Endangered Species Act (ERO number 025-0380) and replacing it with a watered-down version will fail to protect and recover species at risk. Here are several of the problems I see with the new proposed Act: it isn’t set up to protect and recover species; it eschews science; it inserts economics into the new purpose and protection and recovery objectives are out. It redefines habitat to narrowly cover areas like dens and nests and makes the adding and removing of species discretionary and allows activities to go ahead as long as they are registered.     

I support efficiencies, robust environmental laws, transparency and holding proponents to account to the highest standards; not giving them free rein. It is reckless and irresponsible to use the threat of Trump tariffs as a cover to trample Indigenous rights, sacrifice the environment and silence local voices.   

I strongly urge the repeal of Bill 5.