Bill 5 should not move…

Bill 5 should not move forward as it exempts two contentious projects: the Dresden Landfill and Eagle's Nest Mine.

My concern, in particular, is the Dresden Landfill. The very name if this bill is maddening because it certainly does not protect Dresden, Ontario, but rather, it strips away its rights. It repeals important components of Ontario's Environmental Law Framework.

I DO NOT AGREE with the watered down version of the Endangered Species Act of 2007. I do not agree with "balance protection and conservation goals with social and economic considerations including the need for sustainable economic growth in Ontario". Balance seems to mean development here.

The references to the "recovery" of a species should be maintained and monitored. Extinction of species happens when this is not monitored. This law is supposed to be focused on protecting diversity.

Ontario should not be able to override COSSARO's species protections. An independent body should do this and ensure Species at Risk protections. Politicians can be swayed by lobby groups. Habitat legislation will be reduced to almost nothing except for the den of an animal. I do not agree with that. The area in which it feeds, breeds, is reared, hibernates and lives should be protected. Breeding grounds and migratory routes should be protected. All of these things together protect a species.

I do not agree with "harassment" of a protected species no longer being considered to be a prohibited act. No species should be harassed as that would cause stress to the species.

Permits to conduct activities that would harm species at risk can now proceed after registering them 95% of the time without government oversight. I disagree with this and activities that could harm species at risk are wrong. Skipping consultation is wrong.

I do not agree with the Special Economic Zones Act where "special economic zones" renders provincial laws and municipal by-laws as inoperative. This is a direct attack on the rule of law and enables the province to make regulations delineating zones in which "trusted proponents" or designated projects may not have to comply with existing legal requirements enacted by the Ontario Legislature ( and by-laws made by municipalities) that otherwise apply to EVERY OTHER INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATION. THIS IS A LAW FREE ZONE WHERE ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES, FUNCTIONS, AND VALUES WILL BE SACRIFICED TO GENERATE PRIVATE PROFIT FOR CORPORATIONS. RIGHTS ARE STRIPPED TO EXPEDITE DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT PROPER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS THAT SHOULD BE DONE TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE and HABITATS AND WATERSHEDS. This bill gives too much power to the Premier.

Environmental laws have been put in place for good reason. Bill 5 will weaken or eliminate legislative safeguards which protect the environment, human health, and Indigenous rights.

I call upon the Ontario Government to withdraw this attack on environmental law and the rule of law. I strongly oppose all 10 schedules in Bill 5.