REVERSE BILL 5 Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025
TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
WHEREAS the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) has been instrumental in protecting Ontario's biodiversity by providing science-based assessments, automatic species listings, and comprehensive habitat protections;
WHEREAS Bill 5 proposes to repeal the ESA and replace it with the Species Conservation Act, 2025 (SCA), which introduces discretionary species listings, narrows habitat definitions, and removes mandatory recovery strategies, thereby weakening protections for at-risk species;
WHEREAS the proposed legislation concentrates excessive decision-making power in the hands of a single minister, reducing transparency and accountability in species protection decisions;
WHEREAS the creation of Special Economic Zones will weaken environmental and labour rights as well as undermine First Nation rights;
WHEREAS we acknowledge the importance of supporting Ontario's economy during turbulent times, such efforts must not come at the irreversible cost of our most vulnerable wildlife and natural ecosystems or at the cost of First Nations rights.
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, PETITION THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO AS FOLLOWS:
That the Government of Ontario reverse Bill 5, actually improve the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and ensure economic growth does not come at the expense of First Nations or of biodiversity and ecological integrity.
WHEREAS the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) has been instrumental in protecting Ontario's biodiversity by providing science-based assessments, automatic species listings, and comprehensive habitat protections;
WHEREAS Bill 5 proposes to repeal the ESA and replace it with the Species Conservation Act, 2025 (SCA), which introduces discretionary species listings, narrows habitat definitions, and removes mandatory recovery strategies, thereby weakening protections for at-risk species;
WHEREAS the proposed legislation concentrates excessive decision-making power in the hands of a single minister, reducing transparency and accountability in species protection decisions;
WHEREAS the creation of Special Economic Zones will weaken environmental and labour rights as well as undermine First Nation rights;
WHEREAS we acknowledge the importance of supporting Ontario's economy during turbulent times, such efforts must not come at the irreversible cost of our most vulnerable wildlife and natural ecosystems or at the cost of First Nations rights.
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, PETITION THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO AS FOLLOWS:
That the Government of Ontario reverse Bill 5, actually improve the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and ensure economic growth does not come at the expense of First Nations or of biodiversity and ecological integrity.