Ontario’s Species Conservation Act, 2025: Conflicts will be aplenty regarding Environmental Protection, Major Projects and Indigenous Rights – JFK Law LLP

June 16th, 2025

Ontario’s recently enacted Bill 5, the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025”,[1] signals a profound shift in the province’s environmental and resource governance. This legislative overhaul, particularly through Schedule 10, which introduces the new Species Conservation Act, 2025 (SCA 2025)[2] to replace the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA 2007),[3] is far from the balanced economic and environmental approach the government claims. Instead, a closer look reveals a prioritization of short-term economic interests at the expense of ecological and species protection and the section 35 rights of First Nations.

The Species Conservation Act, 2025: A Trojan Horse

The SCA 2025 introduces fundamental changes that significantly weaken protections for species at risk. While it continues to use the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) for scientific assessment and includes a non-derogation clause for Aboriginal and Treaty rights,[4] its operative provisions represent a severe regression. The truer purpose of this legislation is found in regressive steps undertaken.

Read More: https://jfklaw.ca/ontarios-species-conservation-act-2025-conflicts-will-be-aplenty-regarding-environmental-protection-major-projects-and-indigenous-rights/