On behalf of Beaverhouse…

On behalf of Beaverhouse First Nation, I am writing to express our strong opposition to Bill 5, the Protecting Ontario by Enabling Economic Growth Act. This legislation poses a serious threat to the health of our lands, waters, and wildlife, all of which are essential to our identity, culture, and future.

Our people have lived on this land for countless generations, and we are guided by the belief that all life — people, animals, plants, water, and the land — is interconnected. When one part of this balance is harmed, it affects us all.

Bill 5 threatens this balance by weakening crucial environmental protections, particularly for species already at risk of extinction. It allows companies to pay into a fund rather than follow the protections set out by the Endangered Species Act. This approach suggests that it’s acceptable to damage the environment as long as there’s a financial solution, but money cannot bring back a lost species or restore a damaged ecosystem.

Additionally, the changes to the definition of "habitat" and the shifting of decision-making power away from scientists only make it easier for harmful development to proceed without proper oversight. As the Auditor General has pointed out, since the Endangered Species Act was enacted in 2007, no applications to harm species have been denied, and enforcement has been nearly nonexistent. Bill 5 would only exacerbate these issues and accelerate the irreversible ecological damage we are already facing.

Beaverhouse First Nation has always supported responsible development — the kind that respects the land and includes Indigenous voices. Bill 5, however, removes the safeguards meant to protect the environment and the future of all Ontarians.

We ask the government to reconsider this legislation. This is not just about laws or economics; it is about protecting the land that sustains us, the species we share it with, and the well-being of future generations. Once something is lost, it may never be recovered.

We urge you to listen to Indigenous communities, scientists, and environmental organizations who are raising concerns. You still have the opportunity to make the right choice — to protect the land, respect the voices of the people, and choose a path that honors our shared responsibilities.