Legislative History of ESA

Passage of The Endangered Species Act, 2007

Ontario is now a North American leader in species at risk protection and recovery with the passage of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 on May 16, 2007.

Compared to Ontario's previous legislation, the new act provides broader protection provisions for species at risk and their habitats, greater support for volunteer stewardship from private landowners and partners, a stronger commitment to recovery of species and more effective enforcement provisions.

More comprehensive legislation is just one of three components of an updated approach to protection and recovery of species at risk in Ontario.

The other two components are:

• Programs and policies to implement the new legislation
• Enhanced stewardship programs.

Previous Announcements

• News Release - May 17, 2007 - McGuinty Government Strengthens Protection for Ontario's Species at Risk
• Bill 184, Endangered Species Act, 2007 - Current Status: Royal Assent received Chapter Number: S.O.2007 C.6
• News Release - March 20, 2007 - McGuinty Government to Strengthen Protection for Ontario's Species at Risk
• Backgrounder - March 20, 2007 - Ontario Introduces Proposed Endangered Species Act, 2007
• Backgrounder - March 20, 2007 - Support for Ontario's Proposed Endangered Species Legislation
• Fact Sheet - March 20, 2007 - Protecting Ontario's Species at Risk
• EBR Notice - Visit the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry and enter Registry Number AB06E6001
• Plain Language Overview of the Endangered Species Act, 2007
• High Resolution Photographs (media use only)

Species at Risk Legislative Review

• News Release - May 9, 2006 - Ontario Government Begins Updating and Strengthening Species at Risk Protection
• The Ministry of Natural Resources prepared a Species at Risk Legislative Review Consultation Summary.
• The Endangered Species Act Review Advisory Panel submitted a report to the Minister of Natural Resources: Report of the Endangered Species Act Review Advisory Panel: Recommendations for Ontario's New Endangered Species Act (PDF* Size: 912 K).
• The Discussion Paper on proposed species at risk legislation.(PDF* Size: 521 K)

By working together, we can help Ontario’s species at risk