This bill directly affects…

This bill directly affects the Indigenous communities and our environment. Bill 5, the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act', 2025, is jeopardizing our rich biodiversity and our communities' rights.

This Act will eliminate comprehensive environmental assessment processes and expedite mining initiatives, even in ecologically sensitive and contested territories including the Ring of Fire. By doing so, it neglects proper consultations or consents from our Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, it creates loopholes allowing businesses to begin operations prior to evaluating their environmental impact. Moreover, the creation of “special economic zones” where Cabinet can exempt sensitive areas and corporations from abiding by established laws is deeply concerning.

The implications of these rushed decisions could lead to irreversible damage to our natural habitats and further exacerbate climate change. In fact, according to a report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), Indigenous lands are among the most biodiverse terrains on earth, and their preservation is critical in mitigating climate change.

The reckless acceleration of developmental activities, without duly assessing their environmental implications, can jeopardize the lives and livelihoods of not just our community, but potentially every Ontarian. We must stand together against this intrusion on our lands and the circumventing of our rights.

It is of utmost importance that we put a stop to the Bill 5, the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act', 2025, and prioritize the interests of the environment and the Indigenous communities who share a deep connection with them. For the love of our beautiful province, let's defeat this Bill that threatens our collective future. Please sign this petition.