Protect Muskoka

URGENT ALERT. You might not be able to vote in the upcoming municipal elections in Muskoka unless you reregister to vote. Seasonal residents have been taken off the voter roles in most cases.

Seasonal Residents Must Act Now To Re-Register To Vote In This Fall's Municipal Elections, MLA Advises Members Voting in this year’s municipal elections may require an extra step for seasonal residents and people should act before August 12 to ensure they can cast a ballot, the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) advises its members. In an email alert, the MLA warns second property holders and long-term renter...

This morning an endangered bird species came to a feeder in Bracebridge. This is the first time seen ever by the resident in this area as it is a rare sighting. Is this a sign that this bird is recovering and it species are increasing? Or is it a sign that its habitat was destroyed and it’s moving to this protected area? Does it have a chance with Ford repeal of the Endangered Species Act?

It’s not just Muskoka but ALL OF ONTARIO that Ford’s government and his cronies repealed the Ontario Endangered Species Act and replaced it with the “Species Conservation Act”.

In Ontario, "Bill 5" refers to the controversial provincial legislation—the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act and the resulting Species Conservation Act—that officially replaced the province's Endangered Species Act.

The bill has major implications for the Red-headed Woodpecker.

The Impact of Bill 5 on the Red-headed Woodpecker

Loss of Provincial Protection:
The Red-headed Woodpecker is an endangered species. Under Bill 5, Ontario stripped provincial recognition and specific habitat protections from 106 at-risk species, including this bird.

Reliance on Federal Law: The province argues these birds are already covered by federal law (the Species at Risk Act). However, federal protections only apply to federal lands like national parks, covering less than 5% of the species' range.Development Risks: Habitat-destroying projects (such as Highway 413) can bypass rigorous, expert-reviewed environmental assessments in favor of simpler, online registrations, leaving vulnerable nesting and foraging sites highly susceptible to development.

“Ontario's Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, is a controversial omnibus law that grants the provincial Cabinet unprecedented power to bypass environmental and municipal regulations, repeals the Endangered Species Act, and shortens mining approvals in an effort to fast-track major economic and infrastructure projects.

Passed in June 2025, the legislation has faced severe backlash from Indigenous communities, environmental groups, and civil liberties organizations.

Key ComponentsSpecial Economic Zones: Cabinet is authorized to designate specific regions (such as the Ring of Fire) where designated "trusted proponents" and projects can be legally exempted from any provincial law, regulation, or municipal bylaw.

Repeal of the Endangered Species Act: The bill replaces the ESA with the weaker Species Conservation Act. It narrows habitat protections, shifts to a registration-based permitting system, and allows Cabinet ministers—rather than independent scientists—to determine which species are at risk.

Revised Mining Act: Amendments were introduced to significantly shorten Ontario's mining and project approval processes, aiming to fast-track industrial development in northern regions.

The Controversy
Indigenous Rights: The bill was pushed through without meaningful consultation or the "free, prior and informed consent" of First Nations, violating constitutional Treaty obligations and sparking legal challenges.

Environmental Backlash: Major ecological groups condemn the sweeping exemptions as a "brazen power grab" that endangers sensitive wetlands, peatlands, and vulnerable wildlife in favour of short-term industrial gain.”

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A small group of like-minded individuals along with many generous supporters of the South Bracebridge Environmental Group helped PROTECT the Henry Marsh and the newly named in recent years the South Bracebridge Provincially Significant Wetland.

Muskoka Conservancy through a donor is protecting the lands adjacent to the Henry Marsh making this even a more significant impact on protecting the environment and Muskoka by securing lands that will remain pristine and ecologically significant. 

Learn more about the Muskoka Conservancy through Martin Short.

Martin Short is Big on Nature Comedy legend Martin Short takes a break from the laughs to talk about something close to his heart — and close to his home of more than 30 years here in Muskoka. Click Mardy's picture above to check out his message.