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 and human heritage, democratic processes and Indigenous rights.

Insofar as this bill relates to the Ontario Heritage Act, I am deeply concerned about 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 for Ford’s friends undermines transparency, accountability, and Ontario’s duty to uphold Indigenous rights and treaties. Further, this bypass has to potential to erase Ontario's rich built and archaeological heritage resources in the name of short term profit. Heritage resources are finite, and protecting them supports an entire economic sector, supports a sense of community, and is part and parcel to Ontarian identity.

Ontarians have not asked for weaker protections or less say in decisions that affect the province’s land, water and future. Bill 5 would silence community voices, marginalize science and erase decades of hard-won progress in the field of heritage, archaeology, and in relations with Indigenous communities. This bill is neither in the interest, nor the will of Ontarians.

I demand that the Ontario government withdraw Bill 5 in its entirety and instead work with experts, Indigenous leaders and the public to strengthen — not dismantle — our systems of heritage and environmental protection and due process, rather than copying the deregulatory policies of the Trump administration that is posing such a threat to Ontario. This proposed legislation would only weaken Ontario and I urge you to withdraw this obviously destructive and unpatriotic bill.