The Species Conservation Act, 2025 Is Now In Effect

On March 30, 2026, the Province repealed the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (the “ESA”) and replaced it with the new Species Conservation Act, 2025 (the “SCA”). The new SCA fundamentally changes how activities affecting species at risk are regulated in Ontario, introducing a registration-first system that is expected to reduce permitting timelines but shift greater responsibility onto applicants and their consultants.

At the same time it brought the SCA into force, the Province issued the following five regulations to implement the new species conservation regime:

• Ontario Regulation 60/26: Protected Species in Ontario List
• Ontario Regulation 61/26: Excepted Activities – No Permit or Registration