I strongly oppose Bill 5,…

I strongly oppose Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act. This legislation poses a serious threat to Ontario’s natural heritage, democratic processes and Indigenous rights.

Protecting nature is not a barrier to economic growth. It’s the foundation of a healthy, resilient and just society.

The Endangered Species Act is one of the few tools we have to protect at-risk wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on. Replacing it with vague “goals” and unenforceable measures will lead to the further decline of species already on the brink. Repealing the Endangered Species Act is not modernization, it’s deregulation. Short-term industrial gain ahead of long-term ecological and community health puts our children’s futures at risk.

Equally alarming is the creation of “special economic zones” that would allow cabinet to approve major development projects without proper environmental assessment, public input or Indigenous consultation. This short cut only benefits the corporations involved and puts the environment at risk.

Ontarians DO NOT want weaker protections or less say in decisions that affect the land, water, and future sustainability. Bill 5 would silence community voices, marginalise science and erase decades of hard-won environmental progress.

I urge the Ontario government to 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.