Bill 5, Ontario premier Doug…

Bill 5, Ontario premier Doug Ford’s Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, would do untold damage to ecosystems, endangered species, and future generations.

Ford claims the bill is an attempt to bolster the Ontario economy in the face of U.S. tariffs. In actuality, it is a complex and sprawling omnibus bill with disturbing implications for endangered species, clean energy and Indigenous rights.

It introduces a new Special Economic Zones Act, 2025. This Act would exempt so-called “trusted proponents” from obeying all existing laws in a given geographic area. How does one become a “trusted proponent”, you may ask? The Act is conveniently vague.

Possibly the worst feature of Bill 5 is a proposed new Species Conservation Act, 2025. It would repeal Ontario’s existing Endangered Species Act, 2007.