Bill 5: A Threat to Environmental Protections in Ontario

Right now, the Ontario government is pushing forward two troubling pieces of legislation, Bill 5 and Bill 17, with alarming speed and minimal transparency. These bills pose serious long-term threats to our environment, Indigenous rights, and democratic processes.

Bill 5, misleadingly titled the “Protecting Ontario by Unleashing the Economy Act,” proposes sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act. It would redefine what counts as habitat, eliminate recovery goals, and create “Special Economic Zones” where environmental protections could be bypassed altogether. Developers would be allowed to destroy habitat with little more than an online form, no environmental review, no oversight.

The bill has faced powerful resistance. Indigenous leaders, environmental experts, and legal advocates have spoken out against it, warning of the irrevocable harm it will cause Ontario’s ecosystems. On Thursday May 26th, Ontario NDP and Liberal MPPs filibustered the bill for over 8 hours, stalling its progress in committee and preventing it from reaching its final vote… for now.

Meanwhile, Bill 17 would give ministers even more power to override local planning laws, further eroding community voice and environmental oversight.

In a telling decision made before a key debate on May 26,  MPPs voted to hold the meeting in camera, shutting out the public from discussions that directly affect their land, water, and rights. Several opposition MPPs objected to this lack of transparency:

“We should be hearing from rights holders, listening to the impacts, and moving forward with free, prior, and informed consent,” said MPP Sol Mamakwa, urging the committee to visit remote communities like Neskantaga and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug to hear directly from affected First Nations.

MPP Catherine Fife warned that the bill represents “a shift from a permit-based oversight system to a registration-first model, allowing most development activities to begin immediately without prior environmental review.” She called on the government to “be honest and open about what the intentions are… Let’s try to build some trust.”

MPP Guy Bourgouin added, “If there’s a time to be transparent, it’s now. The public deserves to hear these discussions. Going behind closed doors… is undemocratic.”

Despite these concerns, all PC members on the committee voted in favour of the motion to go in camera.

CNL’s Board and staff submitted a letter during the comment period and now you can make your voice heard. Contact your MPP and let them know that Ontarians want leadership that protects biodiversity, honours treaty obligations, and values public input.

Things you can do:

Click Here to Sign the Environmental Defense Petition
Contact your MPP today directly to tell them you oppose Bill 5 and Bill 17

We’re going to monitor this situation as it continues to progress and provide updates to you all. If you’d like to see any transcripts that are available, click here to see the legislative assembly page for all updates.