I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed Species Conservation Act, 2025 (ERO 025-0909).
Removing species from Ontario’s protection under the excuse of “avoiding duplication” is misleading and dangerous. Federal protections under the Species at Risk Act only apply to federal lands and activities, not to the vast majority of Ontario’s provincial Crown or private lands. If these species are removed from the provincial list, their habitats will effectively lose protection across most of the province.
This proposal weakens habitat protection, increases the risk of species decline, and undermines science-based conservation. Ontario should be strengthening its environmental safeguards, not transferring responsibility elsewhere.
I urge the Ministry to keep all currently listed species under provincial protection, continue automatic listing of species identified by COSSARO, and maintain strong habitat safeguards on provincial and private lands.
Protecting Ontario’s biodiversity is not duplication, it’s accountability.