I want to express my concern…

I want to express my concern and strong opposition to the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007.

I have an academic background in environmental studies and conduct conservation work. Over the years, particularly under the current provincial Ford leadership, Ontario has seen a push for development over protecting the environment and promoting ecological resiliency (e.g., selling portions of the green belt for development, selling off the Ontario Place for a thermal spa to an Austrian-based company which has thus far just demolished the entire green space). Species already suffer persistent threats from land use changes and encroachment, pollution, ecological exploitation and overuse, and climate change, resulting in a decline in ecological biodiversity. All of these factors place pressure on ecosystems and ecological resiliency.

Endangered species are not "red tape"--we are living in an anthropocentric time where it's crucial to protect biodiversity and move forward with ecological resiliency as a primary consideration to human activity. Development is inevitable, but the approach and associated policies are crucial to ensure we maintain healthy ecosystems as this is also significant for human health and wellbeing. With a growing population and pressure on natural resources, we should be striving to incorporate more environmental consideration into development plans, not be looking to backtrack on policies to bypass environmental concerns and protection.

Please do not approve the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007--this would cause irreparable damage to species and ecosystems across Ontario. Nearly 20 years after the Endangered Species Act was introduced, it's incomprehensible that these changes are even being proposed. We need to be striving to improve ecological protection and move forward, not backwards.