Bill 5 – Protect Ontario by…

Bill 5 – Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, especially the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 (SEZA), poses serious risks. While economic growth matters, SEZA weakens environmental protections, Indigenous land rights, and local governance by exempting special economic zones (SEZs) from municipal bylaws and core regulations.
On May 6, 2024, I urged Premier Doug Ford to withdraw or amend Bill 5, highlighting concerns about endangered species, fast-tracked mining and infrastructure approvals, and unchecked development in SEZs. My MPP responded, citing increased funding through the Species Conservation Act, 2025 (SCA), but financial investment alone cannot replace strong legislative protections. SEZA’s registration-first approach risks allowing harmful projects to proceed without thorough review, jeopardizing ecosystems and Indigenous communities' influence over development.
Environmental degradation and species loss are irreversible. SEZs, part of broader ecological networks, require safeguards, not deregulation that accelerates destruction. Bill 5 must balance economic prosperity with robust environmental protections rather than sacrifice them for short-term gains.
I encourage dialogue among community members, policymakers, and advocates to protect Ontario’s natural heritage, Indigenous lands, and local governance for future generations.