I object to The Protect…

I object to The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 (Bill 5) and ask it be withdrawn entirely from consideration for these reasons:

- It fails to appreciate that Ontario has no economic future unless we put in place stronger protections and efforts to restore our natural environment
- It exempts key projects from Environmental Assessment Act reviews (e.g., Dresden landfill, Eagle’s Nest Mine).
- It weakens oversight of mining activities under the Mining Act.
- It repeals the Endangered Species Act, 2007, replacing it with a weaker Species Conservation Act, 2025.
- It empowers the province to declare “special economic zones” under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025, where provincial laws and municipal by-laws—including environmental and public-participation rules—would be inoperative.
- It erodes the rule of law: “Trusted proponents” could bypass statutory protections, risking environmental and human-health harms
- It threatens Indigenous rights: Fast-tracking extraction in remote areas (e.g., the Ring of Fire) without proper assessment or consultation
- It spreads a false “jobs vs. environment” narrative: Ignores how strong environmental laws underpin sustainable, long-term economic prosperity.
Withdraw Bill 5 immediately.