I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. While I understand the Conservative government’s desire to reduce red tape and promote economic growth, this bill fundamentally undermines values that conservatives traditionally stand for: responsible stewardship, respect for property, prudent governance, and intergenerational legacy.

Here are the reasons why Bill 5 must be reconsidered:

1. It Undermines Responsible, Evidence-Based Stewardship

Conservatives have long advocated for responsible management of resources — not reckless exploitation. Bill 5 allows the government to override scientific recommendations by COSSARO (Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario) when listing endangered species. This is not responsible governance. It substitutes political discretion for objective, science-based policy — undermining transparency and long-term accountability.

2. It Threatens Landowner Rights and Local Control

Many rural property owners — traditionally Conservative voters — care deeply about the ecosystems on and around their land. Bill 5 gives developers and industrial actors unprecedented power to disrupt habitats, often without meaningful oversight or public input. A registration-first approach weakens enforcement and gives little recourse to landowners whose local environments may be harmed by nearby industrial activity.

3. It Creates Risky and Unchecked “Special Economic Zones”

The proposal to create “special economic zones” with exemptions from environmental rules opens the door to a dangerous precedent: government picking winners and losers. This undermines fair competition, exposes businesses to future liability, and risks taxpayer dollars in clean-up and legal costs if environmental harm occurs. This is not free-market conservatism — it’s crony capitalism.

4. It Threatens Long-Term Economic Sustainability

Conservatives believe in planning for the future — not short-term gain at long-term cost. Weakening endangered species protection, habitat conservation, and land-use safeguards threatens Ontario’s forestry, farming, and tourism industries — sectors that depend on a healthy natural environment. Once ecosystems are degraded, they are expensive — if not impossible — to restore. That’s not fiscal prudence; it’s short-sighted and risky.

5. It Contradicts Traditional Values of Heritage and Legacy

Conservatives respect heritage — including natural heritage. Ontario’s species, habitats, and ecological diversity are part of our provincial identity and a legacy to pass on to future generations. Bill 5 disrespects that tradition by removing recovery plans and gutting protections that past generations put in place. What kind of province are we leaving to our children?

6. It Disrespects the Rule of Law and Indigenous Treaty Rights

Respecting the rule of law includes upholding treaty obligations. Bill 5 weakens consultation requirements with First Nations, threatening constitutional challenges and legal uncertainty. Conservative governments should not be inviting more court battles or trampling constitutionally protected rights. A stable regulatory environment is key to investor confidence — this bill does the opposite.

7. It Risks Ontario’s National and International Reputation

Ontario has a proud history of leading in conservation. Repealing the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and replacing it with weaker legislation puts us out of step with both national expectations and global commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This could affect federal funding, public trust, and investor sentiment in key green sectors.

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In summary: Bill 5 is not conservative — it’s corrosive. It weakens the foundations of responsible government, exposes Ontario to environmental, legal, and economic risks, and betrays core values many Conservative voters hold dear.

I respectfully urge the government to reconsider this legislation and protect what makes Ontario strong — not just for today’s economy, but for the generations that follow.