I oppose Bill 5, the so…

I oppose Bill 5, the so-called Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, in the strongest possible terms. This legislation is a blatant attack on Ontario’s natural environment, democratic process, and Indigenous rights, and the only ones who stand to benefit are Doug Ford’s wealthy developer friends.

Ford likes to present himself as being at odds with the current U.S. administration, yet this bill mirrors the same kind of reckless, morally bankrupt policies that put private profit above public good. It’s deregulation disguised as economic growth and it puts the ecosystems we all rely on in even greater jeopardy.

Ontario’s wildlife and wetlands are already under immense pressure from climate change, pollution, and unchecked development. We’re at a critical tipping point, and instead of strengthening protections, Bill 5 guts them. Repealing the Endangered Species Act, one of the last effective tools we have to protect at-risk species, is not modernization. It’s an open invitation to accelerate the destruction of vulnerable habitats and wipe out species already on the brink.

Replacing legally binding protections with vague, unenforceable “goals” is meaningless when the stakes are this high. Our ecosystems cannot withstand more damage. Our wetlands, forests, and watersheds are not obstacles to growth; they are the very infrastructure that supports life, health, and long-term resilience for our communities.

Just as alarming is the creation of “special economic zones,” giving Ford’s cabinet the power to push through major development projects without environmental assessments, public input, or Indigenous consultation. These backdoor deals silence communities, ignore science, and violate Ontario’s legal obligations to uphold Indigenous rights and treaties. It's a direct attack on transparency, accountability, and democratic process.

Ontarians have not asked for weaker environmental laws. We have not asked for less say in decisions that affect our future. Bill 5 represents an extreme shift away from responsible governance, one that endangers not only wildlife, but the well-being of future generations.

I urge the Ontario government to withdraw Bill 5 in its entirety and begin again; with real collaboration involving environmental scientists, Indigenous leaders, and the public. Protecting nature isn’t a barrier to progress. It’s our most powerful path forward.