Ontario Kills Endangered Species Act: Wildlife Protection Narrowed to Nests and Dens Only

Ontario’s government has moved to scrap its long-standing Endangered Species Act, replacing it with a watered-down law that critics say prioritizes development over wildlife protection. The change comes through Bill 5, ironically named the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,” which was introduced on April 17, 2025, and enacted on June 5, 2025. For nearly two decades, the ESA has protected threatened species and their habitats across the province. The new replacement, called the Species Conservation Act (SCA), will come into force at a later date but immediate amendments to the ESA have already taken effect. These changes dramatically … Continue reading Ontario Kills Endangered Species Act: Wildlife Protection Narrowed to Nests and Dens Only