Eagle Lake First Nation …

Eagle Lake First Nation (ELFN) submits the following in strong opposition to the proposed amendments to the Mining Act, 1990, Electricity Act, 1998, and Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 introduced through Bill 5 (Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025).

These changes centralize decision-making authority with the Minister of Energy and Mines and permit unilateral suspension of mining rights and operations under the guise of protecting the “strategic mineral supply chain.” The amendments remove safeguards and oversight mechanisms that are necessary to protect Indigenous lands and rights. No meaningful consultation has been initiated with ELFN despite the clear potential for impacts to our traditional territory.

The proposal also eliminates critical public and First Nations oversight in electricity procurement and allows discriminatory procurement policies based on the country of origin of materials. This could influence energy infrastructure projects without input from or benefit to First Nations, and with no assessment of environmental consequences.

Ontario has failed to fulfill its Duty to Consult and Accommodate, as required under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and has made no effort to uphold the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) under UNDRIP. We demand full withdrawal of the proposed amendments or immediate engagement in meaningful, two-way consultation.