Ontario’s proposed Bill 5,…

Ontario’s proposed Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy’s Act, poses serious risks
to the province’s biodiversity and environmental governance. If passed, this bill would repeal the
current Endangered Species Act (ESA) and replace it with Species Conservation Act and the
Special Economic Zone Act, which significantly weakens protections for species at risk and their
habitats (Norris & Webber, 2025).

One of the most alarming changes in Bill 5 is the redefinition of “habitat” for species at risk.
Under the current ESA, habitat includes the broader ecosystems that species rely on for things
like migration, hibernation, food collection, reproduction and living. Whereas Bill 5 narrows this
definition to only the immediate area around a species’ nest or den (Singh, 2025). This change
would leave many species without legal protection for the spaces they need to feed, breed, and
migrate, making recovery efforts nearly impossible (Moffatt, 2025).

Bill 5 also shifts the authority to list species at risk from independent scientific bodies to the
provincial Cabinet. This means that decisions about which species receive protection could be
influenced by political or economic interests rather than scientific evidence (Moffatt, 2025). This
undermines the credibility of the listing process and could delay or prevent protection for species
that are in urgent need of conservation.

Another major concern is the introduction of a new online registration system that would allow
developers to move forward with projects that could harm species at risk without undergoing a
full environmental assessment. Under this system, developers would only need to submit a form,
with no requirement for expert review or public consultation (Moffatt, 2025). According to
Ecojustice, this change would eliminate the current permitting process, allowing construction to
begin immediately, even if it results in the destruction of critical habitats or harm to at-risk
species (Bowman, 2025). This effectively removes oversight and accountability, allowing habitat
destruction to occur unchecked.

Bill 5 also limits opportunities for public engagement and Indigenous consultation. The proposed
legislation does not require the new registry to be made public, which means communities may
not even be aware of projects that threaten local ecosystems (Moffatt, 2025). Additionally,
Ontario Nature warns that the bill could violate Indigenous rights if it does not ensure
meaningful consultation and consent. Indigenous communities should play a central role in
decisions about conservation and sustainable development, but this bill will sideline their voices
(Moffatt, 2025).

These changes, when combined, would greatly reduce the strength of Ontario’s environmental
laws. According to environmental advocates, Bill 5 prioritizes short-term economic development
over long-term ecological sustainability (Singh, 2025). It makes it easier to destroy habitats and
much harder to protect species. The new bill will accelerate biodiversity loss and undermine
Ontario’s commitments to conservation.

Bill 5 represents a major step backward for environmental protection in Ontario. By weakening
habitat definitions, politicizing species listings, fast-tracking development, and reducing public
and Indigenous participation, the bill undermines the very foundations of effective conservation.
The Ontario government should reject Bill 5 and instead strengthen the Endangered Species Act
to ensure that species at risk receive the protection they need to survive and recover. Taking care
of the environment is important for everyone, now and in the future.

References

Bowman, L. (2025, May 6). Ford’s Omnibus Bill guts environmental protections - Ecojustice.
Ecojustice. https://ecojustice.ca/news/demystifying-bill-5-how-doug-fords-omnibus-b…

Moffatt, S. (2025, May 1). Bill 5: A Moment to Mobilize for Nature in Ontario. Ontario Nature.
https://ontarionature.org/bill-5-a-moment-to-mobilize-for-nature-in-ont…

Norris, R., & Webber, Q. (2025, May 10). Proposed Bill 5 threatens Ontario wildlife and
ecosystems. The Pointer. https://thepointer.com/article/2025-05-10/proposed-bill-5-threatensonta…

Singh, I. (2025, April 30). Ontario is scaling back species at risk protections, worrying advocates
and inviting federal intervention. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/ontario-species-at-riskchanges-1.7522227