Bill 5, the Protect Ontario…

Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, has raised significant concerns among First Nations leaders, environmental advocates, and labor organizations.
The bill undermines Indigenous rights by bypassing meaningful consultation and disregarding the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Additionally, the legislation threatens environmental protections by repealing the Endangered Species Act, potentially putting vulnerable wildlife and ecosystems at risk. The creation of Special Economic Zones could allow projects to proceed without adhering to existing labor laws, environmental regulations, and municipal oversight, raising fears of exploitative working conditions and unchecked industrial development. Bill 5 prioritizes economic expansion at the expense of sustainability, Indigenous sovereignty, and workers' rights