I am writing to you today to…

I am writing to you today to express my concern over the recently introduced Bill 5, Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. As someone who is concerned about the destruction of critical habitat for endangered species and removal of appropriate consultations with relevant groups, I believe that this Bill, in its current form, will do more harm than good for Ontario.

While economic development is vital, the direction and scope of this legislation appear to prioritize short-term corporate and development interests at the expense of environmental protection and accountability. Bill 5 overrides critical regulations and local decision-making, particularly in areas involving land use, environmental assessments, and municipal autonomy. If passed, this legislation would likely have long-lasting and potentially irreversible consequences for communities across Ontario.

Ontario’s economy must be built on a foundation of sustainability, equity, and community well-being—not deregulation and diminished oversight. Unleashing our economy should not mean unleashing unchecked development or rolling back hard-won protections for the environment and public input. We should strive toward balancing economic progress with transparency, accountability, and stewardship of our natural resources.

I urge the government to withdraw this Bill and instead engage in meaningful consultation with municipalities, Indigenous communities, environmental experts, and the people of Ontario to ensure any economic recovery plan is both inclusive and responsible.