Undermines Environmental Protection
	•	Bill 5 repeals Ontario’s Endangered Species Act and replaces it with a much weaker regime, removing meaningful protections for endangered species and their habitats.
	•	The bill allows the government to create “special economic zones” where environmental safeguards and local bylaws can be ignored, opening the door for unchecked industrial development and habitat destruction.
Threatens Indigenous Rights
	•	Bill 5 enables the province to bypass consultation with Indigenous communities, undermining constitutionally protected rights and treaty obligations.
	•	Exemptions from archeological assessments threaten Indigenous heritage and sovereignty by removing important checks that trigger the duty to consult.
Attacks Democracy and Rule of Law
	•	The bill grants the Premier and Cabinet unprecedented, “king-like” powers to override provincial and municipal laws without public or legislative oversight.
	•	It centralizes decision-making, allowing the government to exempt favored projects or proponents from laws that apply to everyone else, creating “law-free zones”.
False Jobs vs. Environment Narrative
	•	Claims that environmental laws are “red tape” holding back economic growth are not substantiated; good jobs and strong environmental protections can and should coexist.
	•	Fast-tracking resource extraction at the expense of environmental and community safeguards is a short-sighted approach that risks long-term harm.
Silences Public and Community Voices
	•	Bill 5 reduces opportunities for public input and dissent, making it harder for communities and advocacy groups to challenge harmful developments.
	•	The process for approving potentially destructive projects is streamlined to the point that companies can simply register online and proceed without meaningful review or alternatives considered.