Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025
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TAKE ACTION TODAY. THE COMMENT PERIOD ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL REGISTRY HAS CLOSED BUT YOU CAN SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE POLITICIANS WHO ARE BEHIND THIS BILL AND WHO ARE FIGHTING THIS BILL. Committee hearings are being held in the Ontario Legislature on May 22 and May 26. The Bill goes to clause-by-clause debate on May 28th. The Committee is accepting comments until 6 pm on May 26th. See the notice and details HERE.
The creation of SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES will give cabinet sweeping powers to exempt projects and proponents from provincial law and municipal rules and public.
Changes to the MINING ACT will give the Minister sweeping powers and extraordinary discretion to expedite approvals, bypass environmental protections and eliminate public reviews.
The ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT is replaced by the Species Conservation Act, 2025 which will allow development to move ahead without permits and hugely reduce species’ habitat.
ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT amendments will allow development without assessment or protection of cultural heritage even if the land has known Indigenous and other heritage values.
Northwatch submissions on Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, May 2025:
Northwatch Brief to the Standing Committee on the Interior is HERE
Northwatch letter to Premier, Minister of Energy and Mines and MPPs is HERE.
- Special Economic Zones Act, 2025, ERO # 025-0391, Northwatch Comments
- Proposed amendments to the Mining Act 1990, Electricity Act 1998, and Ontario Energy Board Act 1998, to protect Ontario’s Economy and Build a More Prosperous Ontario, ERO # 025-0409, Northwatch Comments
- Proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and a proposal for the Species Conservation Act, 2025, ERO # 025-0380, Northwatch Comments
- Addressing Changes to the Eagle’s Nest Mine Project (EA Exemption), ERO # 025-0396, Northwatch Comments
Briefs, Backgrounders and Action Alerts
Canadian Environmental Law Association’s Comprehensive Comments HERE
Ontario Nature’s brief on the Endangered Species Act and action alert; send a message to the premier HERE
Legal Advocates in Nature’s Defence (LAND) action alert; message to the Premier, Minster of Energy and Mines and your MPP HERE
Wildlife Preservation Canada action alert about threats to nature; message a message to the Premier and your MPP HERE
SIGN A PETITION
Environmental Defence petition
Northwatch 