BurlingtonGreen is a non-partisan, solution-focused organization. Together with the community, we work to protect and care for the environment, now and for the future.

Ontario is home to many beautiful – but endangered – species of plants and animals. For almost 20 years, Ontario’s Endangered Species Act helped to ensure that new development avoided the habitat of these species whenever possible.

Unfortunately, the Ontario government has officially repealed its Endangered Species Act and replaced it with weaker legislation, almost a year after first proposing to do so.

Read this April 6, 2026 article about this important issue.

What YOU can do

1. Find your MPP – use this tool

2. Call your MPP – Phone calls are the most effective way to make your voice heard. Let your MPP know that you want them to restore the protections for Ontario’s beloved endangered species. Feel free to use points from issue information further below to guide your message.

3. Write a letter or email to your MPP
Handwritten letters are often especially impactful due to the time and care they require, but emails are also effective when they are personal and heartfelt.

4. At a minimum, we encourage you to sign the petition When signing, you will often have the option to customize the pre-written letter. A helpful tip is to personalize at least the opening by saying something like: “I am a resident of Burlington, and I care about this issue because…”

Sample phone call template:
Hello, my name is ____ and I am a Burlington resident calling with concerns about the recent repeal of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act..

State your concerns:
“I’m concerned that removing these protections is going to be devastating for our province’s endangered species and seriously threaten the health of our ecosystems..”

You may wish to add one or two points you’re aware of, for example:

• Habitat has been redefined to include only the actual home of an endangered species, not the surrounding land it needs for feeding and breeding and only on federally owned lands
  
• Species such as woodland caribou, barn owls, redside dace, the golden eagle and more are going to be at risk!
  
• Government officials will have the authority to overrule expert scientists
  
  Then ask your representative to:
  
  “Speak up for Ontario’s beloved endangered species and restore the protections they need.”

Thank them for their time, and you’re done.

See the Environmental Defence Canada – Reconnect Project petition for more content ideas for your email or phone call.