To Whom It May Concern, I am…

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Schedule 7 of Bill 5: Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025.

The proposed amendments under Schedule 7 pose a direct threat to the integrity of archaeological practice, the preservation of Ontario’s heritage, and the rights of Indigenous communities. These changes would:
• Allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to exempt land from archaeological assessments, risking irreversible destruction of cultural and historical sites.
• Eliminate mandatory protections for heritage properties under the Ontario Heritage Act.
• Grant authorities police-like powers over artifacts and heritage sites, raising serious ethical and jurisdictional concerns.
• Remove rights to compensation and legal recourse, limiting transparency and accountability.
• Redefine key terms like “archaeological collection” with minimal consultation, sidelining professionals and Indigenous stakeholders.
• Extend the statute of limitations on offences, while weakening proactive protections.

This is not about efficiency or red tape—it is a dismantling of vital checks and balances designed to preserve Ontario’s rich and diverse cultural landscape.

As someone who values public interest, historical integrity, and Indigenous sovereignty, I urge the Government of Ontario to withdraw Schedule 7 from Bill 5 and instead engage in genuine consultation with archaeologists, heritage professionals, Indigenous communities, and the public.