Ecojustice fights Doug Ford on all fronts

Premier Doug Ford’s government is on a relentless mission to dismantle environmental protections across Ontario.

From weakening climate targets, to tearing out bike lanes, and quietly introducing dangerous legislation that bypasses democratic process — Ford’s government is abusing its power. And we won’t sit by and let it go unchallenged.

This is certainly not the first time we have had to stand up to Ford and his government. We have been fighting for the truth about the Greenbelt scandal for years, challenged Ontario’s gutting of the cap and trade program in 2018, and held the Ford government to account for failure to consult on Bill 197.

We are pushing back in courts again and mobilizing our community to defend the public’s right to healthy environment. And we need your help now more than ever.

1. Cracking down on climate accountability

Ford’s government slashed Ontario’s climate targets in 2018, putting current and future generations at risk. But seven courageous young people are holding his government to account in Mathur et. al. v. Ontario, a groundbreaking Charter case.

Rather than working to reduce its emissions and build tomorrow’s clean economy, the Ford government has sought to avoid accountability for its part in fuelling the climate crisis. The case has been going on for six years — and it’s survived government attempts to have it thrown out of court and overcome legal hurdles, making legal history along the way.

In a major win for the case, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in October 2024 that government climate targets must comply with the Charter and that Ontario’s weak target is risking the lives and well-being of its citizens.

But rather than accept responsibility and get to work, Ford appealed our win to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Last week, the Supreme Court rejected his appeal. Now, with the wind at their backs and momentum rising, the seven youth are heading back to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. They are ready to make history again here in Canada as the Ford government will be forced to face the consequences of its climate inaction.

2. Removing safe and sustainable infrastructure

In November 2024, the Ford government passed Bill 212 — the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act. Behind this harmless sounding name is a dangerous policy. It gives the province sweeping powers to rip out existing bike lanes and prevent municipalities from building news ones if they replace a car lane.

The goal of this bill? Supposedly to reduce traffic congestion. But studies consistently show that putting more car lanes on roads induces demand — meaning more people are likely to opt to use cars. Crucially, the removal of bike lanes has been shown to increase the risk of serious injury or death for all road users, including cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. The Province’s own documents, disclosed in the court case, show that Ontario is aware tearing out bike lanes is unlikely to have a meaningful impact on congestion and would increase the risk of collisions.

We are challenging the removal of three key biking corridors in Toronto. We were in court for the hearing on April 16 — and the judge granted a temporary injunction to stop the removal of the bike lanes before the court has made its final decision.

Ford’s government has already sought leave to appeal the injunction and publicly questioned the integrity of the court’s ruling — determined to keep its anti-cycling agenda alive in the face of overwhelming evidence of the benefits of cycling for public health, equity, local economy, and the environment.

While the Ontario government has the right to seek leave to appeal the injunction, it is unacceptable for political leaders to attack the integrity of judges simply because they disagree with their rulings — as Ontario’s chief justices pointed out in their rebuke to Ford’s comments. It’s also disturbingly like what we’ve seen from U.S. President Donald Trump, who is normalizing open attacks on the judiciary and disregard for the rule of law.

We can’t ignore this kind of dangerous rhetoric — it puts Canada’s democratic principles at risk.

3. Ford’s biggest power grab yet: Bill 5

Now, Doug Ford is taking it one step further.

With minimal notice, in April the Ontario government unveiled Bill 5 — the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act”. This omnibus bill would unleash a suite of laws that threaten Ontario’s environment and endangered species and put unchecked power in the hands of the provincial government.

It’s being sold as a response to the global trade uncertainty. But make no mistake — Ford is using Trump’s trade war and its threat on Canadas economy as an excuse to do what he’s always wanted. Bill 5 is a blank cheque for his government and developer friends to bypass environmental protections sell Ontario off to the highest bidder.

Bill 5 is a direct attack on our democratic rights, and it’s being rushed through without proper public consultation.