I strongly oppose Bill 5 and…

I strongly oppose Bill 5 and the proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007, as well as the introduction of the Species Conservation Act, 2025. This is one of the most alarming and anti-democratic pieces of legislation ever put forward in Ontario.

Bill 5 effectively scraps the Endangered Species Act at a time when we should be strengthening protections amidst a global biodiversity crisis. It allows industries to operate with a simple registration—no meaningful environmental assessment, no clear conditions to prevent harm to species, and no public oversight. This paves the way for unchecked destruction of habitat and irreversible loss of species already in steep decline. Once these species are gone, they are gone forever. The ecological, cultural, and economic consequences are catastrophic.

Disturbingly, Bill 5 does not mention the rights of Indigenous Peoples—not once. It ignores consultation obligations and further erodes trust and reconciliation efforts. Additionally, the bill would politicize the scientific process by making species-at-risk listings subject to partisan interference, rather than independent, science-based assessments.

Perhaps most dangerous of all, it gives the government sweeping powers to designate any part of Ontario as a "special economic zone" without public consultation, transparency, or criteria—much like the troubling developments at Ontario Place. This is carte blanche for backroom deals and environmental rollbacks, hidden from public scrutiny.

Premier Ford cannot continue to “do away with environmental assessments” and govern in secrecy. His government is seeking unlimited powers to push forward major mining and development projects—even those that threaten Indigenous lands and protected ecosystems.

Before bulldozing through what little natural space we have left in the name of "economic opportunity," maybe Ford should first focus on finishing existing infrastructure projects that already have committed funding. Toronto and other cities are drowning in construction chaos, clogged roads, and eyesores. Clean it up. Finish what’s started. Relieve congestion. Build beauty.

This government needs to build smarter, not faster. Protect more, not less. Spend taxpayer money wisely, not recklessly.

I urge the government to withdraw Bill 5 immediately and commit to upholding the Endangered Species Act with science-based, transparent, and inclusive practices that protect Ontario’s biodiversity and respect Indigenous rights.