Ford government rams through dangerous law that threatens nature, democracy, and Indigenous rights
Ont./ Traditional territories of several First Nations including the Williams Treaties First Nations, Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation — Ecojustice is outraged that the Ford government has forced Bill 5 through the Ontario legislature today. Over the past weeks, First Nations, environmental groups, civil liberties advocates, engineers, labour organizers, farmers and everyday Ontarians have spoken out against this Bill’s attacks on democracy, nature, and Indigenous rights. The government chose to ignore them all.
Bill 5 is a dangerous law that repeals the Endangered Species Act, allows the creation of lawless “Special Economic Zones”, and gives corporations the green light to harm nature and communities — all without oversight or public input. It is a direct assault on Ontario’s biodiversity and an attack on First Nations’ right to free, prior, and informed consent.
This Bill has never been about mining, as the government claims. The most dangerous parts — like the Special Economic Zones Act and the repeal of the Endangered Species Act — have nothing to do with mining approvals and everything to do with undermining democracy, consolidating power in the Cabinet and creating the power to reward political allies.
Over the past weeks, protests erupted outside Queen’s Park. Opposition parties delayed the Bill for several days. One MPP was even ejected from the legislature while defending First Nations’ rights. Still, the Ford government charged ahead.
On June 3, the Bill was rammed through the committee without time for a report. Today, it was pushed to a final vote with only a few minutes of rushed, performative debate.
Ecojustice lawyer Laura Bowman said: “This is a dangerous moment for Ontario and Canada. The decision to acquiesce to Trumpian authoritarianism under the pretext of economic development is spreading across the country. We must be vigilant, and we must continue to fight back. Even though Bill 5 has passed, the fight is far from over. Bill 5 has brought communities across Ontario and First Nations together in opposition.
“We will continue to work with allies across the province to hold this government accountable, just as we did after the Greenbelt and planning scandals — where our collective power forced the government to reverse course. We will also examine all legal options to challenge the constitutionally vulnerable aspects of this Bill, especially those that ignore Indigenous rights and undermine the rule of law.”
Ecojustice stands with First Nations and with all communities defending their lands, waters, and rights. We will not stop fighting for a just, sustainable, and democratic Ontario.
