I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding Bill 5, Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. As a concerned citizen, I urge you to oppose this harmful and regressive legislation, which accelerates the destruction of critical habitat for endangered species, strips away basic environmental rights—including the right to be informed and consulted—and disregards the rights of Indigenous peoples, including those enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

If enacted, Bill 5 would:

Eliminate the environmental assessment (EA) for the Eagle’s Nest mine, a proposed project within Treaty 9 territory and the Ring of Fire region (Schedule 3). By removing the EA process—which provides essential insight into the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of proposed developments—this bill jeopardizes the fragile ecosystems and waters of the James Bay Lowlands in Northern Ontario.

Create “special economic zones” that are exempt from provincial environmental laws and safeguards, particularly around the Ring of Fire mining area. These zones would pave the way for environmentally hazardous projects—such as mines—often located near Indigenous, racialized, and low-income communities. These communities are rarely consulted or given the opportunity to consent, perpetuating environmental racism and intensifying a critical environmental justice issue.

Repeal the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and replace it with the weaker Species Conservation Act, which relies on voluntary measures and discretionary protections (Schedule 2). This shift removes mandatory requirements, such as recovery strategies for at-risk species, severely limiting the province’s ability to monitor and address threats to species survival. Bill 5 builds upon a history of weakening conservation laws, further insulating extractive industries from environmental accountability.

Reduce government accountability by narrowing the scope for judicial scrutiny and restricting legal actions against the Crown (Schedule 5). This move limits the public's ability to challenge decisions that may violate environmental, human, or Indigenous rights.

Bill 5 represents a sweeping endorsement of private interests—especially mining—at the expense of community well-being, ecological integrity, and public trust. If passed, it would inflict lasting harm on Ontario’s environment and undermine the foundations of transparent, inclusive, and responsible governance.

As your constituent, I respectfully request that you:

Call for the full withdrawal of Bill 5, in defense of nature, Indigenous rights, and democratic accountability.

Advocate for an extension of the public comment periods on all Bill 5-related proposals posted to the Environmental Registry, to ensure meaningful public engagement.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.