The Ford government continues to expedite Bill 5, the “Protect Ontario By Unleashing Our Economy Act”, with the second reading now approved and heading to Committee. Meanwhile, many more groups and thousands of people are expressing grave concerns about the government’s plan to create lawless Economic Zones at the government’s whim, where no rules will apply (Constitution-free zones). This will also fully repeal Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the entire province, once heralded as world-leading. The entire ESA will be replaced with far weaker regulations, gutting protections and allowing development to destroy habitat and restoration efforts.
First Nations are expressing serious concerns about their rights being bypassed and ignored by the provincial government. There are also far-reaching implications to overriding heritage and archeological laws, even limiting future clean energy by placing restrictions on sourcing essential components such as solar panels and control modules. Energy advocates are warning that by arbitrarily banning Chinese components in energy projects, this bill could effectively ban new solar and wind energy in Ontario.
Unprecedented numbers of groups and organizations across the province are coming together to fight this outrageous bill that overrides so many laws and personal rights to prioritize private company profits and give “Trusted Proponents” carte blanche to do and destroy whatever they want with no recourse. This is not in the best public interest to see so much power given to so few with no oversight or rules.
Similar to King Henry the 8th, Bill 5 would enable the Premier and cabinet to take full control over decisions previously made democratically in the Legislature without regard to any municipal or provincial laws. It gives exemptions to any person or company, anywhere in Ontario, for any reason, and gives “trusted proponents” authority to undertake projects overriding any law including the Planning Act, Environmental Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Highway Traffic Act, even the Trespass to Property Act for any purpose whatsoever.
It all comes down to dollars and development by well-connected private corporations being prioritized over good planning, democracy, citizen rights, our environment, and the greater public good.
Resources
Bill 5 Backgrounder – Newly released by Environmental Defence, this guide provides an overview of Bill 5’s most egregious provisions:
https://environmentaldefence.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bill-5-V2-Backgrounder-May-2025.pdf
Environmental Defence Bill 5 Overview Webinar – More than 1,300 people signed up for Wednesday’s Bill 5 overview webinar. Watch a recording of it online now at:
Media Coverage
CTV News – Critics Slam Ontario For Proposal To Create Zones Where Projects Are Exempt From Laws: https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/politics/queens-park/article/critics-slam-ontario-for-proposal-to-create-zones-where-projects-are-exempt-from-laws/
The Record – Premier Ford Threatening Endangered Species And Democracy: https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/premier-ford-threatening-endangered-species-and-democracy/article_1a82173e-6014-5669-a256-4fe364658edc.html
The Sun-Times – Concerns Over Bill 5’s Proposed Environmental Rollbacks Raised During Keynote Talk: https://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/news/concerns-over-bill-5s-proposed-environmental-rollbacks-raised-during-keynote-talk
Just Sayin’ Caledon – Environmental Groups Fear Ontario Bill 5 Would Threaten Caledon’s Natural Environment: https://justsayincaledon.com/environmental-groups-fear-onta
The Trillium – Indigenous Leaders Call On Ford To Halt Mining Bill, Consult: https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/indigenous-rural-and-northern-affairs/indigenous-leaders-call-on-ford-to-halt-mining-bill-consult-10618776
The Narwhal – Ontario’s Bill 5 Sparks New Concerns Where A Legacy Of Environmental Damage Remains: https://thenarwhal.ca/bill-5-northern-ontario-first-nations/
Speak Up!
There are several one-click letters that you can send to speak up to the Ford government:
Green Party One Click Letter: https://secure.gpo.ca/wildlife-under-threat?source=C25.E.OWTA
Environmental Defence – Stop The Bill 5 Power Grab One Click Letter: https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/170384/action/1
Wildlands League – Say No To Bill 5: https://wildlandsleague.org/stop-bill5/
Ontario Nature Action Alert: https://ontarionature.good.do/bill-5-stop-attacks-on-endangered-species/Email/
The Wilderness Committee – Bill 5 will destroy endangered species protections – tool to send your comments to the Environmental Registry of Ontario: https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/ActForOntarioSpecies
Water Watchers – Stop Bill 5: https://win.newmode.net/waterwatchers/stopbill5
Call – Have even more impact by calling the Premier’s Office directly. Here are details and talking points from the great folks at Ontario Nature: https://ontarionature.good.do/bill-5-stop-attacks-on-endangered-species/call/
Call Premier Ford’s Office (calls are answered 24/7, be prepared to leave a message):
(416) 325-1941
Or text Premier Ford’s cell phone directly to tell him how wrong Bill 5 is – please be polite:
(647) 612-3673
Official Schedules
Here are the official government detailed schedules and Act for Bill 5:
Bill 5 – Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-5
Environmental Registry of Ontario – There are several ERO postings that we have until 11:59pm on May 17th to comment on:
Special Economic Zones Act, 2025: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0391
Specific to Ontario Place and amendments to the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act – specifically removing public notice and public consultation requirements: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0416
Specific to Bill 5 Amendments the Ontario Heritage Act: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0418
Specific to Electricity, Mining, and Energy Board: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0409
Standing Committee Presentations – there will extremely limited hearings with only 36 delegations permitted at Queen’s Park to the Committee of The Interior on Bill 5, Protect Ontario By Unleashing Our Economy on:
Thursday, May 22nd from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm
Monday, May 26th from 9am to 10:15am and 1pm to 6pm
Please participate in these hearings by applying to appear as a delegation (in-person or virtually) and/or submitting comments: Learn more, apply, and submit comments at:
https://www.ola.org/en/get-involved/participate-committees
Required Action – Speak up! Watch for more news and analysis on this horrifying omnibus bill and ensure our democracy, environment, clean energy, agriculture, and communities aren’t destroyed by the misguided development efforts of the provincial government under the guise of responding to Trump tariffs.