I am strongly opposed to…

I am strongly opposed to this regressive and harmful bill that will speed up the destruction of critical habitat for endangered species, remove basic environmental rights, including rights to be informed and have a say, and that fails to respect Indigenous peoples' rights, including those recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

If passed, Bill 5 would:

Terminate the environmental assessment (EA) for the Eagle’s Nest mine - a proposed mining project in Treaty 9 lands, part of the proposed Ring of Fire (Schedule 3)
Removing the EA for this project -  which provides a forward-looking assessment designed to help government decision makers, Indigenous authorities and rights holders, and members of the public understand the environmental and socioeconomic outcomes of proposed activities before moving ahead  - jeopardizes the lands and waters in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario.

Exempt entire regions from provincial laws and environmental safeguards through the creation of “special economic zones” - such as those in and around the proposed Ring of Fire mining development
Environmentally hazardous sites, like mines, continue to be established near areas primarily inhabited by Indigenous, racialized and low income communities without their consent or participation. This is environmental racism, a human rights and environmental health issue that will be exacerbated if Bill 5 passes.

Threaten species survival and recovery by repealing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and replacing it with the Species Conservation Act that relies on voluntary initiatives and discretionary, not mandatory, species protection and eliminates requirements to create recovery strategies for at-risk species, making it nearly impossible to track and mitigate threats to their survival (Schedule 2)
The province’s regressive approach to species protection adds to a history of vast and sweeping amendments from other prior and passed bills that have exempted major extractive industries from the ESA’s protective measures, delayed the classification of species on the Species At Risk in Ontario (SARO) List, broadened Ministerial decision-making powers absent a requirement to seek expert advice, and limited the publicly accessible and transparent information sharing. 

Erode government accountability by attention to narrow judicial scrutiny by the courts by restricting potential causes of actions against the Crown  (Schedule 5)

Already, Bill 5 reflects Ontario’s unrestrained and unabashed endorsement of private interests, namely mining proponents and projects, at the cost of any legal requirement to consider the interests of the public, communities, nature and health.  If passed, Bill 5 will undoubtedly erode public confidence in transparent and accountable government decision-making and cause irreparable harm to environmental and human rights.

The current government's record on environmental matters is abysmal and this bill will continue that legacy. I am horrified by the destruction happening in the province at the government's hands.