Bill 5 is a shocking…

Bill 5 is a shocking proposal by this government which will have sweeping and harmful impacts on critical archaeological work, endangered species and will be yet another attack against indigenous groups throughout the province. While I recognize the need for more housing and transit infrastructure, these proposed changes have the potential to do irreparable harm to history, cultural identities and opens the door for corruption from lobbyists. Given the past acts from the Ford government this is almost a certainty and not a question of if but when. This will violate our right to procedural fairness without any indication of how the government will ensure these “special” designations will be applied.

As someone working within the archaeology sector I know in great detail the work that goes into assessing areas for archaeological significance as well as indigenous engagement. These proposed changes will affect almost all archaeology done within the province impacting an entire sector of workers. To say nothing of how detrimental this will be to the indigenous nations throughout the province who have been pushed to the side by the government on all levels and continue to be marginalized. These groups have the right to maintain and protect their history and culture. Full stop. This legislation will just act as another level for racial violence against these communities and violates their treaty rights.

All I’ll end with is a simple question, “how dare you”. How dare you attempt to frame this as a counter point to American tariffs and yet with pinpoint precision strip environmental and cultural safeguards. How dare you pretend that this “special” designation will be applied fairly, as if its very existence could ever be fair. How dare you pretend that this could ever be good for this province and the people who live here which includes the First Nations who ever occupied this land.

I urge you to reconsider pushing this bill through and I truly hope it’s thrown out all together.