I am writing to strongly…

I am writing to strongly oppose Bill 5: the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act and its dangerous proposals, including the creation of Special Economic Zones, the weakening of Ontario’s endangered species protections, and the exemption of the Eagle’s Nest mine from an environmental review.

Bill 5 gives your government extreme new powers to ignore laws that protect the environment, public health, and Indigenous rights — without accountability. This is unacceptable.

The Special Economic Zones Act (Schedule 9) would grant unprecedented powers to the Provincial Cabinet and could allow corporations or individuals to avoid any laws and by-laws in entire areas of Ontario. There are no limits, no rules, and no public input. This is not how democracy works. This limits the government itself from having any forms of enforcement of private landowners/activities in the future should it be needed to advance provincial interests and is incredibly short-sighted. It puts public trust into private hands with no oversight and no clear criteria or mechanisms for implementation.

The new Species Conservation Act (Schedules 2 & 10) would strip away real protections for at-risk species and their habitats. Science and recovery planning are being replaced by an empty process that can’t protect our wildlife. Allowing the harassment of protected species with no oversight is NOT PROTECTING THEM. The government must realize that it has a moral obligation to current and future Ontarians including the protection of the natural environment many of us have grown to enjoy and love, including our non-human relations.

The exemption for the Eagle’s Nest mine (Schedule 3) removes the need for a full environmental assessment — ignoring the serious risks to climate-critical peatlands and Indigenous territory. This goes against Canada’s commitments to reconciliation and climate action.

Ontario should not give up vital environmental protections or give the Provincial Cabinet unlimited power. This won’t solve the trade war, or stimulate economic growth. It will only bring us closer to the chaos we’ve seen in the United States. It would also severely undermine Indigenous rights.

Ontarians deserve better. I urge you to withdraw Bill 5 immediately.