I strongly oppose the …

I strongly oppose the "Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025" (Bill 5) due to its sweeping threats to environmental protection, Indigenous rights, and democratic oversight.

1. Weakening Environmental Protections

Bill 5 would repeal the Endangered Species Act, a cornerstone of Ontario’s environmental safeguards for nearly two decades, and replace it with a much weaker framework. This change strips away meaningful rules for species protection and narrows habitat definitions, virtually ensuring further decline or extinction of at-risk species. The bill also removes requirements for recovery strategies and gives the government more control over science-based committees that list protected species.

2. Silencing Indigenous and Public Voices

The Act allows the government to bypass public notice and comment requirements under the Environmental Bill of Rights for major projects, including the Ontario Place redevelopment. This means affected communities, especially Indigenous peoples whose lands and rights are directly impacted, are denied meaningful consultation and consent. First Nations leaders have already expressed that they were not consulted about projects in their territories, such as those in the Ring of Fire region.

3. Unchecked Government Power and Special Economic Zones

By granting cabinet the authority to create "special economic zones," the bill enables the government to exempt entire regions and projects from following established laws and regulations. This concentration of power undermines transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. There is no clear public application process or transparent criteria for these designations, raising concerns about favoritism and lack of oversight.

4. Irreversible Environmental and Social Consequences

Fast-tracking industrial projects without comprehensive environmental assessments risks irreversible harm to Ontario’s rich biodiversity and natural habitats. The bill creates loopholes for businesses to start operations before evaluating their environmental impacts, further exacerbating climate change and threatening the well-being of current and future generations.

In summary:
Bill 5 prioritizes short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability, Indigenous rights, and democratic participation. Ontario’s prosperity should not come at the expense of its natural heritage and the rights of its people. I urge the government to withdraw this bill and pursue economic development strategies that respect ecological limits and uphold the voices and rights of all Ontarians.