Dear Premier Ford, As the…

Dear Premier Ford,

As the Director of Canadian Educators for Safe Technology, a national, non-profit volunteer-based organization of experts, educators, parents, grandparents, and health professionals, I am raising our concerns about legislation that could have lasting, harmful effects on future generations.

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.

Future generations depend on responsible, environmentally sustainable decisions which protect people, animals and the environment. This is an alarming Bill (deeply concerning), as it ignores the expertise of specially trained professionals and centralizes decision-making in a way that risks long-term harm to public health, the environment, and future generations.

By bypassing established standards of expert input and evidence-based policy, it opens the door to short-sighted decisions with potentially irreversible consequences.

Bill 5 proposes to repeal the Endangered Species Act — 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. This is not modernization.

It’s deregulation that puts short-term industrial gain ahead of long-term ecological and community health.

MOST 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 for Ford’s friends undermines transparency, accountability and Ontario’s duty to uphold Indigenous rights and treaties.

Ontarians vehemently do not approve of 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 environmental progress.

I urge the Ontario government to withdraw Bill 5 in its entirety.
It is essential that the Ontario government work with environmental experts, Indigenous leaders and the public to strengthen — not dismantle — our systems of environmental protection.

Protecting nature, and biodiversity is essential and will fully support economic growth.
It is the foundation of a healthy, resilient and just society.

Canadians need this government to actively facilitates public input and embed transparency into every stage of the legislative process.

Sincerely,
Shelley Wright
Director, Canadian Educators for Safe Technology
https://www.thechildrensdeclaration.org/
https://www.safetechschools.ca/

Safe Tech Schools Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-gc8_X4TMM

“In this International Declaration on the Human Rights of Children in the Digital Age there are three fundamental legal rights of children regarding the deployment and use of technology: their right to be free from intentionally addictive devices, platforms and apps; their right to be free from excessive exposure to wireless radiation; and their right to be free from commercial exploitation.”

Respectful safe tech practices and wired devices foster optimal health and focused learning in Canadian classrooms. Wired technologies are inclusive, energy efficient and cost efficient. Wired devices promote caring, responsible citizens, who respect themselves, others, and the environment.