Bill 5 is an awful piece of…

Bill 5 is an awful piece of policy that is a slap in the face to Indigenous communities and the incredible biodiversity of Ontario.
We still have First Nations reservations in Ontario without potable water (currently The Chippewas of Nawash First Nation and Georgina Island) experiencing the negative effects of colonisation-facilitated projects that these changes will allow the government to bulldoze over any consultation with communities affected. Past harm as a result of projects these changes will facilitate includes, but is not limited to, mill operations resulting in mercury poisoning of the Grassy Narrows First Nation.
First Nations communities have been abundantly clear that mining operations in the ring of fire would cause egregious harm to communities and the environment. Ecological experts as well with numerous reports espousing the region’s ecological importance and the harm increased mining has and will cause.
These changes will exacerbate these existing issues and commodify unceded Indigenous land without consent. Canada is NOT for sale and NEITHER is Indigenous land in Ontario.
These proposed changes also allow the bypassing of due process to ensure minimal harm to ecosystems and consultation.
A recent Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society report identified the Ontario government as the worst in Canada. This government has already been undermining conservation and this act without the proposed changes to the detriment of the boreal forest as per the report. Recommendation 8 outlines how Ontario needs to enhance and bolster not gut this act. Accordingly, other recommendations call on the Ontario government to further support, not hinder, Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.
In conclusion experts and advocates have been clear that these changes will be to the detriment of Ontario wildlife and human communities.
As an Ontarian who has previously worked in ecological science communication I am outraged at the blatant ignorance and hypocrisy of this proposal. As an Indigenous Ontarian I am even more outraged at the disregard for All My Relations and disrespect of the land.
I strongly urge the government of Ontario to put the health and safety of Ontarians and the unique ecological features of this great province ahead of greed and exploitation.