Bill 5, the Protect Ontario…

Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 poses a grave and unacceptable threat to Ontario's natural heritage, democratic principles, and the rights of Indigenous peoples. I strongly oppose this legislation.

The proposed gutting of the Endangered Species Act, a vital tool for protecting species at risk and their habitats, is a reckless move. Replacing our current legal protections with vague aspirations will inevitably lead to further biodiversity loss.

This is not progress; it is deregulation that prioritizes short-term profit over the preservation of our natural world.
The creation of "special economic zones," enabling cabinet to approve major developments without proper environmental review, public input, or consultation with Indigenous communities, is equally dangerous. This provision creates an undemocratic shortcut, bypassing essential checks and balances and undermining Ontario's duty to consult and accommodate Indigenous rights. It raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in decision-making.

Ontarians value their right to have a say in decisions affecting their environment and future, and they expect strong environmental protections. Bill 5 seeks to diminish public participation, sideline scientific evidence, and dismantle the environmental safeguards built over many years.

I call on the Ontario government to immediately withdraw Bill 5. True leadership lies in working cooperatively with environmental professionals, Indigenous communities, and the public to enhance our environmental laws, not dismantle them.

Protecting our environment is fundamental to a thriving economy and a just society; it is not an obstacle.