Why I Oppose Ontario’s Bill…

Why I Oppose Ontario’s Bill 5 and What We Should Do Instead

Premier Doug Ford’s Bill 5 is a misguided and dangerous step backward for Ontario’s environment, biodiversity, and democratic process. Under the pretext of cutting “red tape” and boosting economic growth, Bill 5 proposes to gut the Endangered Species Act, weaken environmental protections, and centralize land-use decision-making in the hands of politicians instead of scientists and local communities.

Why This Bill Is Harmful
1. It puts wildlife at risk.
Bill 5 reduces critical habitat protections for at-risk species, ignoring the fact that species need full ecosystems—not just isolated dens or nests—to survive. This could accelerate the decline of biodiversity, which is already under threat due to climate change and urban expansion.
2. It removes science from decision-making.
By transferring authority from independent experts to cabinet ministers, the bill politicizes conservation. Decisions about endangered species and land use should be based on evidence, not short-term economic interests.
3. It marginalizes Indigenous voices and public input.
The bill undermines Indigenous stewardship and cuts out the public from vital discussions about Ontario’s natural heritage and future development.
4. It opens the door for unsustainable development.
Creating “special economic zones” where developers can ignore regulations is a recipe for unchecked environmental degradation.

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A Better Path Forward: Sustainable, Inclusive Development

If the goal is to increase housing supply and affordability—something all Canadians can support—there are far more effective and responsible strategies than gutting environmental protections:
1. Build “missing middle” housing in existing urban areas.
Encourage low-rise multi-unit housing (like triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes) in already-serviced neighborhoods. This increases density without sprawl, making use of existing infrastructure and transit.
2. Prioritize development near transit hubs.
Transit-oriented development reduces car dependency, emissions, and infrastructure costs while increasing access to affordable housing.
3. Reclaim underused land and vacant properties.
Incentivize the redevelopment of abandoned buildings, empty lots, and underutilized commercial spaces—especially in cities where infrastructure already exists.
4. Invest in public and cooperative housing.
Relying solely on private developers has not solved the housing crisis. We need a stronger public sector role in building and maintaining affordable, mixed-income housing.
5. Respect Indigenous sovereignty and stewardship.
Any land-use planning must include Indigenous communities from the outset—not as an afterthought—and respect their rights and knowledge of the land.

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Ontario doesn’t need to sacrifice its ecosystems to solve the housing crisis. We can build smarter, denser, and more sustainable communities without dismantling the environmental safeguards that protect the province’s future.

Let’s stop Bill 5—and demand real solutions that protect both people and the planet.