Dear Ontario Government, I…

Dear Ontario Government,

I am writing as a deeply concerned citizen to urge the Ontario Ford government to immediately withdraw Bill 5: Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. This bill is not only an environmental disaster—it is a direct attack on democratic accountability, Indigenous rights, and the foundational principles of responsible governance.

By repealing the Endangered Species Act and replacing it with the hollow and misleading Species Conservation Act, Bill 5 eliminates science-based protections for at-risk species and their habitats. This new legislation strips away the goal of recovery, offering no real path to survival for Ontario’s most vulnerable plants and animals. It narrows the definition of habitat to mere nesting or den areas, ignoring the full ecosystems species require to thrive.

Worse still, Bill 5 hands over the power to determine species protections to the Cabinet, turning what should be scientific decisions into political ones. Developers would no longer require permits reviewed by environmental experts—instead, they could proceed with potentially destructive projects simply by submitting an online form. No review. No safeguards. No transparency.

This bill is an environmental and ecological tragedy—but it is also a grave injustice to Indigenous Peoples.

Bill 5 completely disregards the constitutional and treaty rights of Indigenous Nations in Ontario. It removes the meaningful consultation and consent mechanisms that should be in place when development threatens the lands, waters, and species Indigenous communities have stewarded for generations. The proposed system has no clear pathway to respect Indigenous governance, knowledge systems, or decision-making. It is a step backward in the already fragile relationship between the provincial government and Indigenous Peoples.

The introduction of the Special Economic Zones Act compounds this harm. It would grant the Cabinet authoritarian power to suspend provincial and municipal laws—including environmental regulations and planning rules—within arbitrarily defined zones. This could allow development to override Indigenous jurisdiction and existing land rights without consultation or consent. These powers echo those used in autocratic regimes and are incompatible with a free, just, and democratic Ontario.

Let us be clear: economic growth cannot come at the cost of constitutional rights, environmental destruction, and democratic erosion. Indigenous rights are not a bureaucratic hurdle. They are a legal and moral obligation. Ignoring them endangers not only ecosystems, but the very legitimacy of your government’s decisions.

Ontario has a proud legacy of environmental protection and growing recognition of Indigenous sovereignty. Bill 5 turns its back on both.

I strongly urge your government to repeal this bill and to work collaboratively—with Indigenous leadership, scientists, environmental experts, and communities—to craft legislation that reflects the values of sustainability, reconciliation, and justice.

Sincerely,

O. Moll