Minor amendments to the Species Conservation Act, 2025 and consequential amendments to other statutes

On September 26, 2025, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks posted a proposal on the Environmental Registry of Ontario related to several items including regulations that will enable the Species Conservation Act, 2025, (SCA) as well as minor amendments to the SCA and associated consequential amendments to other statutes and regulations (#025-0909).

The proposed amendments to the SCA and related consequential amendments to other statutes that are a part of Bill 56, the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025, are described in section 7 of the proposal.

Bill 56, the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025, was introduced on October 20, 2025. It received First Reading in the Legislative Assembly and was ordered for Second Reading on the same day. Bill 56 received Third Reading on October 30, 2025. A Bill is considered to be implemented under the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) when it receives Third Reading. This decision notice is being posted because the portion of the notice of proposal #025-0909 relating to amendments to the SCA and related consequential amendments to other statutes has now been implemented.

Please note that the SCA will be proclaimed into force when enabling regulations have been finalized. Consultation on those regulatory proposals described in the remaining sections of the posting is continued (#025-0909).

The following minor amendments to the Species Conservation Act, 2025 (SCA) will be made when Bill 56 receives Royal Assent:

• amendments to improve clarity and consistency with certain provisions of the legislation
• amendments to more closely align the circumstances in which orders can be issued under sections 37 and 38

The following consequential amendments to update references in legislation to the Endangered Species Act, 2007, will be made when Bill 56 receives Royal Assent:

• Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994
• Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 (FWCA)
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, 2003
• Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008
• Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006