I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. This omnibus legislation dismantles key parts of Ontario's environmental protections and introduces uncertainty about the province’s commitments to Indigenous communities.

First and foremost, the bill replaces the Endangered Species Act with a weakened framework that prioritizes development over the protection of at-risk wildlife. If passed, it would:

- Allow development to begin immediately after online registration rather than after environmental review

- Transfer responsibility for listing protected species to Cabinet, rather than the expert Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario

- Eliminate requirements for Ontario to review its progress towards species protection and abandon long-term goals such as recovery and stewardship for protected species

Furthermore, Bill 5 would override provincial laws and municipal by-laws in designated areas and exempt projects from archaeological assessments, disregarding Indigenous cultural heritage. This approach ignores the importance of meaningful consultation with affected communities and undermines the integrity of Ontario's environmental safeguards.

I urge you to support evidence-based environmental protection and oppose Bill 5. We can support economic growth without sacrificing our natural heritage. Please call for the immediate withdrawal of this bill.

Please think about generations to come. It's easy to destroy habitat and eliminate species, it's not always possible to bring them back. This bill would cause permanent, irreparable damage, it's quite simply unacceptable.