Ontario Nature Blog

Believe it or not, Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed with all-party support back in 2007. Subsequently, of course, it was undermined through numerous exemptions and approvals for harmful activities, and now, through Bill 5, the Government of Ontario is tossing it aside completely. It is being replaced by the Species Conservation Act, 2025, ...

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As the Government of Ontario focuses its mandate on protecting Ontario, it is essential that nature conservation be prioritized for Ontario’s long-term well-being. Ontario has many opportunities to protect more of our lands and waters, as highlighted in Ontario Nature’s Protected Places StoryMap. Last year, Ontario Nature updated its Protected Places StoryMap to serve as ...

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Since its introduction in 2018, Ontario’s free-entry mining system has received significant provincial support despite criticisms raised by Indigenous communities and conservation watchdogs. With loose consultation protocols, broad ministerial powers, and sweeping legislative changes, the current provincial government is placing a significant emphasis on mining. Cited as essential to Ontario’s ‘green transition’, Ontario’s mining system ...

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While the federal government has made bold promises to protect nature, their Canada Strong 2025 Budget tells a different story, prioritizing harmful subsidies over conservation funding, and ignoring the overwhelming majority of Canadians who see nature as essential to our national identity. Conservation Promises Broken In the throne speech, the government recognized the importance of ...

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On the first day Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) were back in fall session after an extended 137-day break, Ontario Nature hosted its inaugural Nature at Queen’s Park. This event was an opportunity for Ontario Nature, its Nature Network and partners to raise the profile of nature conservation amongst provincial decision-makers at the Legislation Assembly ...

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