I strongly oppose Bill 5,…

I strongly oppose Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act. This ridiculously named legislation should be named “Repeal the Endangered Species Act and ignore democratic processes and Indigenous rights”. As usual the CONServatives are bullying us to allow deregulation that puts short-term industrial gain ahead of long-term ecological and community health. The Endangered Species Act — is one of the few tools we have to protect at-risk wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on. The creation of “special economic zones” that would allow cabinet to approve major development projects without proper environmental assessment, public input or Indigenous consultation is the opposite of modernization, it is typical of uninformed prescientific uneducated entitled rich white men. This short cut for Ford’s friends undermines transparency, accountability and Ontario’s duty to uphold Indigenous rights and treaties.
Ontarians have not asked for weaker protections or less say in decisions that affect the province’s land, water and future. Bill 5 would silence community voices, marginalize science and erase decades of hard-won environmental progress. The CONServative government must withdraw Bill 5 in its entirety and instead work with environmental experts, Indigenous leaders and the public to strengthen — not dismantle — our systems of environmental protection.
Protecting nature is not a barrier to economic growth. It’s the foundation of a healthy, resilient and just society.