I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act. This proposed legislation poses a serious threat to Ontario’s natural environment, democratic decision-making, and the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Bill 5 seeks to repeal the Endangered Species Act — a critical safeguard for Ontario’s most vulnerable wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on. Replacing it with vague objectives and unenforceable guidelines will only accelerate the decline of species already at risk. This is not meaningful reform. It is deregulation that puts short-term industrial interests ahead of the long-term wellbeing of our environment and communities.

Equally concerning is the introduction of so-called “special economic zones,” which would allow your cabinet to approve major development projects without proper environmental assessments, public input, or Indigenous consultation. This approach undermines transparency, accountability, and Ontario’s legal and moral responsibilities to uphold treaty rights and Indigenous sovereignty.

Ontarians have not asked for weaker environmental protections or reduced public participation in decisions that shape our shared future. Bill 5 would marginalize science, silence communities, and erase decades of progress in protecting our land and water.

I urge you and your government to withdraw Bill 5 in its entirety. Ontario needs leadership that works with environmental experts, Indigenous nations, and the public to build a future grounded in sustainability, respect, and resilience.

Protecting nature is not a barrier to economic growth — it is the foundation of a healthy, just, and prosperous province.