It’s already passed First…

It’s already passed First Reading, and as far as I know, First Nations weren’t consulted at all. It sounds like nobody was.

These proposed amendments will seriously impact our Treaty Rights.

Beyond the clear environmental and species-at-risk concerns, the legislation would also grant the province sweeping powers to exempt itself from conducting archaeological assessments in certain circumstances - which will likely become any and all (abuse of MZOs for instance). This represents a direct threat to the protection of our cultural heritage and burial sites.

The Chiefs of Ontario are calling on the government to properly consult with Ontario First Nations before moving ahead, and to include clear exemptions in the legislation that respect and uphold First Nations laws.

How can the Province do this when our treaties are with the Crown? What about our Section 35 Rights and the Duty to Consult?

The Province often takes the position that it can act unilaterally unless or until the courts tell them otherwise. They rely on limited definitions of “adverse impacts” and drag their feet until challenged. In many cases, they gamble that our communities don’t have the time, resources, or capacity to launch costly legal battles, so they move ahead, knowing full well they’re walking a legal and moral tightrope.

Bill 5 is another example of this pattern: pushing sweeping changes that affect land, species, water, and heritage protections without proper consultation or respect for First Nations jurisdiction. They use language like “streamlining processes” or “reducing red tape,” but really, it’s about cutting corners and ignoring Indigenous voices.

It may be time for the Williams Treaties First Nations to legally challenge the Province. I cannot believe how emboldened the Ford government has become. It’s infuriating.