Save Ontario Species

Our most vulnerable species are on the chopping block.

Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is misleading the public by claiming that its recently proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) will “improve outcomes for species at risk.” On the contrary, the changes put forward in Schedule 5 of Bill 108 would improve outcomes only for sprawl developers and industry laggards who want the unfettered ability to sweep aside protections for our most vulnerable plants and animals.

The list of damaging changes is long and wide-ranging. If the changes go forward, the Minister will have ...

Our most vulnerable species are on the chopping block.

Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is misleading the public by claiming that its recently proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) will “improve outcomes for species at risk.” On the contrary, the changes put forward in Schedule 5 of Bill 108 would improve outcomes only for sprawl developers and industry laggards who want the unfettered ability to sweep aside protections for our most vulnerable plants and animals.

The list of damaging changes is long and wide-ranging. If the changes go forward, the Minister will have broad discretion to interfere with the science-based listing process, to suspend and limit protections, and to ignore legislated timelines for policies and reporting. At the same time, new loopholes for developers and other proponents of harmful activities will grease the wheels of destruction. These include a “pay-to-slay” scheme that would allow them to pay into a fund in lieu of fulfilling requirements for on-the-ground reparation for the damage they inflict on species and their habitats.

There’s more – much more – ensuring that the forests, wetlands, lakes and rivers that provide habitat for species at risk would be open for destruction.

Ontario Nature is working alongside our friends, supporters, partners and allies to oppose these changes. We hope you will stand with us. You can make the strongest impact by contacting your MPP about these proposed amendments. Please phone, send a letter, or request a meeting with your representative and let them know that the people of Ontario are not okay with these proposed amendments. Your MPP needs to know that their constituents care and are paying attention.

Photo: Prothonotary warbler © Bill McDonald, Video: ESA press conference © John Hassell

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Sign our letter to Minister Phillips and your local MPP

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With your help, we can remind the government that this is the Endangered Species Act, not the Endangered Business Act. The law’s purpose is to protect and recover Ontario’s most vulnerable plants and animals.

Please sign and, if possible, personalize the letter below to Minister Phillips and your local MPP. Their decision will profoundly affect the fate of species at risk and their habitats.

*Please note that to more easily find your local rep through this form, please include the municipality or township with your residential address. If you still have trouble finding your MPP, please send your name and address to Noah at [email protected] and he will make the submission on your behalf.

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Subject:

Cc: Honourable Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Re: Bill 108, Schedule 5, Proposed Amendments to Ontario’s Endangered Species Act

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the ESA. I strongly oppose the changes that are being considered. They will not improve outcomes for species at risk. On the contrary, they would make it easier for industry and developers to destroy the habitats of our most vulnerable plants and animals.

More specifically, I do not support changes which would introduce broad ministerial discretion to interfere with the science-based listing process, to suspend and limit protections, and to ignore legislated timelines for policies and reporting. Nor do I support the “pay-to-slay” scheme that would grease the wheels of destruction by allowing developers and other proponents of harmful activities to pay into a fund in lieu of fulfilling requirements for on-the-ground reparation for the damage they do to species and their habitats.

Improving outcomes for species at risk requires enforcement, not weakening, of the law. It also requires investment in stewardship, not writing off species at risk and their habitats as red tape.

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