As a conservation biology…

As a conservation biology student at UBC, I cannot think of a more effective way to extirpate, or kill off Ontario’s species than Schedule 2 of Bill 5. But you don’t need a biology degree to see how deeply flawed this legislation is.

Let’s start with the redefinition of "habitat." Animals need more than a nest or den to survive—they rely on the surrounding ecosystem for food, water, and shelter. Protecting only the immediate nesting or denning site of an animal is like saving someone’s house but bulldozing the entire neighborhood, leaving no access to basic resources. This change will effectively force species to move or die—not protect them.

Similarly, endangered plants depend on an interconnected underground network of fungi, roots, and bacteria—commonly known as the “Wood Wide Web.” Restricting habitat protection to just the critical root area threatens their survival by cutting off this vital support system.
Another alarming aspect is the removal of “harassment” as a prohibited activity. This opens the door to disturbing or stressing endangered animals until they flee or die. It’s like telling a landlord they can't evict tenants, but can make life unbearable with constant noise or pests. The outcome is the same: they’re driven out.

Equally troubling is the shift in decision-making power from scientists to politicians. This invites political interference and potential corruption. If governments can arbitrarily decide which species are protected, it allows them to push through projects by simply claiming a species isn’t at risk—or halt development by suddenly declaring one endangered. This undermines scientific integrity and conservation goals.

Additionally, eliminating the requirement for recovery strategies guarantees more extinctions. Without a plan to halt or reverse population declines, at-risk species will inevitably disappear.
Worse still, the bill allows companies to proceed with potentially harmful projects by merely registering online—no rigorous oversight required. And by removing their obligation to contribute to the Species Conservation Action Agency, the bill ensures that fewer resources are available for conservation. Companies won’t pay for the damage unless required to do so, and the environment will suffer as a result.

In conclusion, Schedule 2 of Bill 5 would cause irreparable harm to hundreds of species within Ontario, this would in turn cause numerous other issues because as the preamble to the Endangered Species Act of 2007 states, "biological diversity is among the greatest treasures of our planet. It has ecological, social, economic, cultural and intrinsic value. Biological diversity makes many essential contributions to human life and is an important part in sustainable social and economic development. " Additionally the preamble also states that "In Ontario, our native species are a vital component of our precious natural heritage. The people of Ontario wish to do their part in protecting species at risk … The present generation of Ontarians should protect species at risk for future generations." The people of Ontario still wish to do their part to protect species at risk. So do not ignore these words or this responsibility. Future voters are watching, and we will not forget who stood by while Ontario’s natural heritage was dismantled. I urge you to repeal Schedule 2—and Bill 5 entirely—before irreversible damage is done.