I am extremely concerned by…

I am extremely concerned by the erosion of democracy in Ontario. Decisions about the environment, human health, and Indigenous rights, e.g. regarding mining sites, should not be concentrated in the hands of a few ministers. It is especially disturbing to already see particular projects cherry picked for exemption right in the Bill.

Bill 5 is particularly concerning. It doesn't even try to pretend to be anything other than a power grab. It would enable favoured developers to put human health, native species, our environment, heritage and human, Indigenous and workers’ rights at extreme risk.

The government actions described in Bill 5 will set Ontario up for countless lawsuits, wasting tax dollars. Ten Treaty 9 First Nations have already filed a lawsuit. Other organizations are actively fundraising to launch challenges to Bill 5 decisions.

As you have introduced this bill while Ontarians were busy with the federal election, recovering from an ice storm, and overwhelmed with threats from the U.S., I respectfully ask that you extend the comment period to give Ontarians a chance to understand and debate the bill.