Event30 March 2026Action

Ontario's Species Conservation Act (replacing the repealed Endangered Species Act) comes into force

Ontario's Species Conservation Act, 2025, enacted by Bill 5, came into force on 30 March 2026, repealing the Endangered Species Act, 2007. It replaces permits with a registration-first system for many activities and narrows habitat protection; environmental groups criticized it (CBC News).

Date

30 March 2026

Kind

Regulation

Where

Ontario

Evidence

Action: Something was done: a law switched on, a tariff imposed, money committed. How evidence is weighed

Who

Government of Ontario (acted)

Sources

• The Narwhal, “Ontario Species Conservation Act enforced” (external site). excerpt only source record
• CBC News, “Ontario's new Species Conservation Act raises concerns about oversight, habitat protection” (external site), 13 April 2026. source record

Laws and agreements

• Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act (Bill 5 (ON))
• Species Conservation Act, 2025 (Ontario) (Species Conservation Act, 2025 (ON)): this event is its “In force” stage