Endangered Species

Protecting species at risk is essential for the long-term health and diversity of Ontario’s ecosystems. Yet, Ontario continues to lose more biodiversity than it conserves.

The Endangered Species Act (the Act), recognizes that “biological diversity is among the great treasures of our planet”. It also affirms that the “present generation of Ontarians should protect species at risk for future generations”.

Yet, changes to the Act, its regulations and implementation since 2019 undermine its purpose to protect species, their habitats and promote recovery of species that are at risk.

For more information on changes to the Endangered Species Act since ...

Protecting species at risk is essential for the long-term health and diversity of Ontario’s ecosystems. Yet, Ontario continues to lose more biodiversity than it conserves.

The Endangered Species Act (the Act), recognizes that “biological diversity is among the great treasures of our planet”. It also affirms that the “present generation of Ontarians should protect species at risk for future generations”.

Yet, changes to the Act, its regulations and implementation since 2019 undermine its purpose to protect species, their habitats and promote recovery of species that are at risk.

For more information on changes to the Endangered Species Act since 2019, read our blog.

Please join Ontario Nature in urging Minister Andrea Khanjin to restore an effective, science-based regulatory regime under the Endangered Species Act and its regulations.

Photo: Rusty-patched bumblebee © Johanna James-Heinz

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Please ask the Minister to restore the integrity of the Endangered Species Act

2,799 emails sent

Minister Andrea Khanjin, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
Minister of Natural Resources, Graydon Smith
Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, Kevin Holland
Chief of Staff to Minister Khanjin, Brock Hamley
Your local MPP

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Subject:

Dear Minister Khanjin and Minister Smith,

Re: Restore the Integrity of the Endangered Species Act

I urge you to reverse changes made to the Endangered Species Act (the Act) and its regulations since 2019 and restore an effective, science-based regulatory regime that protects and promotes recovery of Ontario’s species at risk.

With over 230 threatened or endangered species, Ontario is currently losing more biodiversity than we are conserving, according to the Ontario Biodiversity Council. The preamble to the Act recognizes that “biological diversity is among the great treasures of our planet”. Yet, changes to the Act have undermined its stated purposes.

Specifically, I ask you to:

• Restore the assessment and listing process to ensure consistency with other provinces and remove the ability to delay listing for 12 months and suspension of protections for up to three years based on social and economic considerations

• Ensure provisions of the Endangered Species Act apply to forestry operations in a Crown forest, in collaboration with the Minister of Natural Resources

• Revoke the provisions of the Species at Risk Conservation Fund (s. 20.1 – 20.18 of the Act), and associated regulations and restore the overall benefit standard

• Revoke O.Reg 6/24: Limitations on Section 9 Prohibitions and ensure effective habitat protection of black ash through Section 9 of the Act, recognizing its cultural significance

• Implement recommendation 8 from the Auditor General’s Value for Money Audit: Protecting and Recovering Species at Risk (2021) regarding the effectiveness of conditional exemptions

• Restore the independence and science focus of the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario

• Increase Ministerial oversight and enforcement capabilities as recommended by the Auditor General’s 2021 report

• Increase funding to the Species at Risk Stewardship Program in line with the number of regulated species at risk
 
• Maintain existing habitat protections for redside dace and the ability for Conservation Authorities to comment on matters pertaining to the Endangered Species Act

It is imperative that Ontario show leadership in protecting and restoring species at risk in the midst of the biodiversity crisis. The long-term health and well-being of province’s ecosystems and people depend on it.

Please restore the integrity of the Endangered Species Act and ensure its effective implementation.

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