REPEAL BILL 5
“Ontario’s Bill 5, officially titled the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act (2025), has faced intense opposition for its sweeping deregulation, environmental rollbacks, and erosion of Indigenous and democratic rights. The legislation repeals the Endangered Species Act, weakens environmental assessments, and enables the creation of special economic zones where provincial and municipal laws—including those related to environmental protection, public health, and labour standards—can be suspended.
Critics such as the Canadian Public Health Association, the David Suzuki Foundation, and Ontario Nature warn that Bill 5 strips away science-based oversight, concentrates power in cabinet, and allows development without public consultation or Indigenous consent. Indigenous leaders have called the law “a direct attack” on their lands and treaty rights, emphasizing that it fosters a system of “legalized lawlessness” detrimental to ecosystems and community health. Overall, Bill 5 is described by environmental, legal, and labour advocates as a long-term threat to democracy, sustainability, and human rights in Ontario.”
-repealbill5.ca
The following opeds were organized by Climate Momentum and printed in local papers in fall of 2025.
OpEd : Bill 5 and Agriculture
Globally agriculture uses 40% of the earth’s land mass. Approximately 4.8 billion hectares of the earth’s surface is being farmed currently. Estimates fluctuate, but generally it is agreed that it takes 1 acre of land to nourish each person on the planet. Currently...
OpEd: Bill 5 and Endangered Species
The nest was huge! In the top of the tallest tree in the woodlot, close to the edge, complete with an eagle perched within, its white head shining in the sunlight. It was the first Bald Eagle I had ever seen. It was also one of only 3 Bald Eagle pairs left in Southern...
Op-Ed: Bill 5 and Indigenous Voice & Consent
By Cory Bilyea The Ontario Government says it will honour the duty to consult Indigenous People, but what exactly does that mean? How they plan to conduct this consultation is a mystery, as the government itself isn’t clear on what that looks like. The current passage...
Op-Ed: Bill 5 and Democracy/Individual Rights
By Sheila Clark Make no mistake: our democracy is threatened by Ontario Bill 5 In Canada, we take pride in our legal system. We describe our society as based in law. In theory, our laws are consistent; they protect everyone and they apply to everyone. This is...
Op-Ed: Bill 5 and Municipalities
By Mark Hunter Haste in decision making is always foolish I have been asked to comment on Bill 5 from a municipal perspective. Bill 5 paved the way for the Special Economic Zones Act (the “Act”) which allows many current rules to be set aside so that certain...
Op Ed: Bill 5 and Youth
Don’t give up in your efforts against Bill 5 By Camilly Ditty & Natalie Ditty Lazy, unengaged, unmotivated—these are all words I’ve heard used to describe people in my generation. We’ve also been told that we are the last generation – the last generation with a...