From the Canadian Blue Community ‘Water Watchers’:
On April 17, Doug Ford brought forth Bill 5: Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. This devastating bill, disguised as response to Trump’s tariffs is in fact a move from his own playbook. In actuality, Bill 5 is about cutting corners and silencing the voices of those who stand to protect the lands and waters we all rely on.
Scrapping the Endangered Species Act
Bill 5 scraps the Endangered Species Act and replaces it with the much less robust Species Conservation Act. This new act decimates the protection of endangered plants and animals. Within it, the definition of “habitat” is completely altered to only include the dens and nests of animals, and immediate root system of plants. Animals require expansive habitats that encompass streams, rivers, mating grounds and migratory routes. Plants and fauna need far more than a “critical root zone” for their survival. Having access to fresh, non-polluted runoff water to ensure adequate nutrients is essential.
The Threat of Special Economic Zones
The introduction of Special Economic Zones is a direct threat to Indigenous sovereignty and democratic process. If passed, these zones would disregard Indigenous consultation and consent, as well as municipal and provincial law.
The Special Economic Zones have been brought forth to make it easier for the provincial government to extract precious resources from the “Ring of Fire” in northern Ontario, home to several Indigenous communities. In a quote to the CBC, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation states:
“If Premier Doug Ford thinks that he can create a piece of legislation that will allow him to do whatever he wants to do in our territory, he is wrong. He cannot just jump on a tractor and drive up there. We will stop it. Our people will stop it and we will make sure we do things our own way, that our own laws are respected, that our resources are respected, that our water is respected.”
Take Action!
Water Wachers has created a simple one-click tool: send an email to Premier Doug Ford and Minister of the Environment, Todd McCarthy, demanding Bill 5 be thrown out to protect wildlife and Indigenous sovereignty.
