James Bay peatlands © Ray Ford
The Issue
On June 4, 2025, the Government of Ontario passed Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act despite widespread opposition from Indigenous Peoples, environmental groups, farmers, labour organizations and people from across the province.
Bill 5 is a sweeping piece of legislation that amends several pieces of legislation and creates new laws. Most significantly it eliminates the Endangered Species Act and replaces it with a much weaker and performative Species Conservation Act. It also creates the Special Economic Zones Act, which allows Cabinet to exempt projects from all provincial laws, regulations and municipal bylaws with no guardrails or criteria.
Monarch butterfly © David Coulson
Why It Matters
Bill 5 threatens the long-term sustainability and well-being of Ontario under the guise of addressing economic uncertainty. Environmental protections, Indigenous rights and democratic processes are not red tape. Bill 5 is a step in the wrong direction that will further threaten Ontario’s most vulnerable species.
Due to significant opposition from Indigenous Peoples and tens of thousands of Ontarians, Bill 5 is likely to cause more uncertainty for potential developers. We need economic solutions that operate in harmony with nature, not in conflict.
First Nations Rally Opposing Bill 5, Queen's Park © Greg Noakes
What We Are Doing
Ontario Nature has and will continue to:
- Oppose Bill 5, calling for the government to repeal it and to strengthen endangered species protections
- Support First Nations and other partners to have Bill 5 overturned
- Share resources and tools to members and supporters
Bill 5 Standing Committee Presentation
What You Can Do
- Call or email the Premier and your local MPP to urge them to repeal Bill 5
- Register for our webinar
- Organize or attend rallies against Bill 5
- Talk to your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues about Bill 5 and why it matters
- Call or email your federal representative to ensure the federal government respects Indigenous rights, environmental protections and democratic processes
Boreal caribou © peupleloup CC BY-SA 2.0