Nine First Nations in Ontario are asking for a court-ordered injunction that would prevent the federal and provincial governments from using
Nine First Nations in Ontario are seeking a court-ordered injunction that would prevent the federal and provincial governments from using newly passed laws to fast-track infrastructure projects.
The constitutional challenge states provincial Bill 5 and federal Bill C-5 "both represent a clear and present danger" to the First Nations, which include Attawapiskat, Fort Albany and Apitipi.
The First Nations argue both pieces of legislation authorize "the Crown to unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful or any engagement with First Nations" and "violate the constitutional obligation of the Crown to advance ... reconciliation."
Bill 5 just passed in Ontario…. Doug ford kill yourself challenge.
(For those who don’t know, bill 5 allows companies to use protected land if there’s a possibility to profit off it… including Indigenous land and wetlands, and endangered species habitats.)
(run time 7:21min, Breaking down the Ford government’s controversial Bill 5 - YouTube)
If you ignore everything else on this post please watch this video (and maybe consider signing one of the petitions under cut). It explains Bill 5 at a glance and that’s more than enough to understand why this isn’t the direction Ontario should take.
Doug Ford is using the Trump tariffs and fear of economic uncertainty/war to push an agenda that in some instances his caucus has had for years. He’s created a boogie man out of red tape in order to use the power Bill 5 will grant to move forward on much opposed projects including his proposed highway 401 tunnel, mining projects in the Ring of Fire, and a Dresden landfill with out proper checks and balances, such as environmental assessment. Bill 5 has unfortunately passed, but it’s still so important that we don’t stop raising awareness about this legislation that will fundamentally change Ontario.
Let's brake down some major components of Bill 5 that are making headlines:
Creating 'Special Economic Zones'
What is a "Special Economic Zone"? Simply put this is a geographical area where the government can exempt companies/projects operating within the designated zone from complying with provincial laws or regulations to streamline operations. What this means under Bill 5:
These Zones can be erected in any location across the province
They grant the government power to suspend provincial laws, provincial regulations, and municipal bylaws with no clear limits on which laws could be revoked
There is no clear out line of the criteria for determining which projects are considered of enough economically importance to warrant these zones
There is speculation this could open the door to an abuse of power by Cabinet as well as raises concerns around accountability, transparence, and environmental stewardship.
Many feel blindsided by this as during Ford's campaign, though there were promises to cut red tape, these zones were not apart of his platform
Doug Ford has already suggested the highway 401 tunnel and Ring of Fire mining operations could receive "Special Economic Zone" designation
Further reading:
Critics slam Ontario's proposed 'special economic zones
Special economic zones: the secret weapon in Doug Ford's Bill 5 | CBC News
CCLA Files Submission Urging Members of Ontario's Provincial Parliament to Vote Against Bill 5 - CCLA
Northwestern Ontario's Ring of Fire central in U.S.-Canada trade war: experts | CBC New
Doug Ford's 401 tunnel vision could come with a nearly $100B price tag, expert says | CBC News
Scraping Endangered Species Act and Replace it with the Species Conservation Act
Many have come forward expressing concerns about the undoing of conservation efforts and environment protections if Bill 5 should pass. Several notable points:
Allow the government to overrule the province's independent scientific committee that classifies species as endangered or threatened
Changing the definition of "habitat" so protection would only apply to an area immediately around an animal's dwelling
Alleviate provincial responsibility for federally listed migratory birds and aquatic species
Fast track of mining projects that jeopardize essential "carbon sink" muskeg land and have the potential to violate indigenous treaty rights
Further Reading:
Ford guts Endangered Species Act in Ontario - Ecojustice | Ecojustice
Toronto Zoo warns of extinctions if Ontario mining bill becomes law | Globalnews.ca
Fast-Tracking Mining Projects and Indigenous Leaders' Pushback
Some of the largest opposition to Bill 5 comes from First Nations leaders and communities. First Nations leaders were not consulted before the Bill was introduced and have expressed feeling that there rights are being overlooked in the name of progress.
Doug Ford (and many others) have long had eyes for the Ring of Fire Mining Deposit, which is located deep in the muskeg of treaty 9 home of several First Nations. Bill 5 introduces a "one project, one window" process; this seemed to threaten mining operations starting up in the ecologically sensitive Ring of Fire without consultation/consent from Indigenous communities.
The Bill did add clauses to say it would honor treaty rights and the duty to consult. Of course I won’t be the first to point out that saying you’ll do what you are Constitutionally required to do is the bare minimum in indigenous relations.
Chiefs were repeatedly at Queen’s Park speaking out against Bill 5's speeding up of resource projects. Alvin Fiddler, grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) claims Ford ignored an invitation to attend a meeting with chiefs. On June 2nd A First Nations Rally and Round Dance to Oppose Bill 5 was hosted at Queen’s Park by various organizations. Hundreds attended and speakers included Sol Mamakwa NDP MPP and Phil Fontaine former National Chief. Repeatedly through out the weeks of debates a resurgence of the “Ideal No More”protest were threatened should the Bill pass.
I don’t believe in blockades, what happened in Ottawa winter of 2022 was disgraceful, but historically it’s the most effective way indigenous communities have their voices heard.
Further Reading:
Anishinabek Nation sends warning to Ontario about passing Bill 5
‘Unleashing a reckoning’: Ford government set to pass Bill 5 - The Trillium
Controversial Bill 5 passes in Ontario legislature
First Nations leaders in Treaty 9 say their message is clear — no development without us as partners | CBC News
More Points of Interest
Mike Crawley’s article on Bill 5 is very well rounded coverage of the Bill's key points. This excerpt details other points of interest:
More Bill 5: Ontario Place, archaeological assessments
Other notable provisions in the bill would:
Exempt the province from providing public notice of any changes to the Ontario Place redevelopment project.
Allow cabinet to exempt any property from a requirement for an archaeological assessment under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Prohibit lawsuits against the province related to various provisions in Bill 5, including the designation of special economic zones.
The bill would also enable cabinet to prohibit a foreign jurisdiction from having a financial stake in the province's electricity sector and allow the province to revoke mining claims to protect the supply of critical minerals.
Read the full article here: Doug Ford's controversial Bill 5: Here's what you need to know | CBC News (If you’d prefer to listen instead of read you can hear Mike Crawley on the podcast Front Burner: Will laws apply in Ontario’s ‘special economic zones’? | Front Burner | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen, run time 23min)
Not everyone is apposed to the Bill ‘No reason to believe’ Bill 5 will steamroll rights, environment, says Greater Sudbury mayor - Northern Ontario Business. However what would be sacrificed for a handful of concessions? Indigenous communities, civil liberty groups, opposition leaders, and environmental advocates have shown an onslaught of backlash to Bill 5 not with out reason. These proposed policies are not for the good of the future of Ontario- it's about Doug Ford’s short sighted profit mongering.
(run time 2.45min, Ontario passes Bill 5 despite opposition from First Nations, environmental groups)
If none of this has convinced you feel free to read the full Bill for yourself here: Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 - Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Six petitions/ letter writing campaigns you can participate in:
Overview
This page provides a living summary of Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, including an analysis of imp
Bill 5 would keep Ontario dependent on fracked gas, repeal the Endangered Species Act and give the Premier Trump-like powers to immunize any
Support the Indigenous Grassroots of Treaty 9
The Government of Ontario must protect species at risk. Once these vulnerable plants and animals are gone, it's too late.
Overview Premier Doug Ford’s Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act is about to unleash a suite of laws that are dangerous, and threa
Defeat Bill 5, the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act', 2025
The government has faced fierce pushback to its proposed law to create special economic zones to fast-track priority infrastructure projects
As tensions over the Ford government’s controversial Bill 5 continue to escalate, Indigenous MPP Sol Mamakwa was ejected from the Ontario legislature after accusing the premier of telling “untruths” to First Nations communities.
The government has faced fierce pushback to its proposed law to create special economic zones to fast-track priority infrastructure projects in the province, including the resource-rich Ring of Fire in northern Ontario.
On Monday, the government was expecting to face more protests from First Nations leaders who are promising to revive the Idle No More movement with possible blockades of GTA-area highways to underscore their point.
Now that Ontario's controversial Bill 5 is law, the next question is what Premier Doug Ford will do with all the powers it gives his governm
Now that Ontario's controversial Bill 5 is law, all eyes are on what Premier Doug Ford does with the new powers it gives his government.
Bill 5, also called the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, empowers the government (among other things) to create special economic zones, where cabinet can exempt companies or projects from having to comply with any provincial law, provincial regulation or municipal bylaw.
Ford pitches Bill 5 as a way of shoring up Ontario's economy in the face of Donald Trump's tariffs by speeding up major infrastructure and resource projects.
Quebec tabled its own bill Tuesday to expedite large-scale projects in the province, one that would allow the province to amend some 30 laws
Quebec tabled its own bill Tuesday to expedite large-scale projects in the province, one that would allow the province to amend some 30 laws to allow the realization of projects deemed of national interest.
Finance Minister Eric Girard told a news conference after tabling Bill 5 at the National Assembly that the proposed law would be used for as many as five projects in Quebec over the next five years.
Girard did not want to comment on which projects would fall under the law, but they would likely include projects proposed by Hydro-Québec, the provincially owned utility.
Girard said the accelerated process will be an exception for major, strategic projects — likely those valued in the billions — and not a general rule. If adopted, the law will have a five-year lifespan, but the minister added he is open to amendments.
Lawyers threaten a Charter challenge and job action.
Lawyers working for the B.C. government are threatening to sue it over a new law that would remove their right to choose their own union.
Bill 5 became law on Thursday after months of fighting between the government and the BC Government Lawyers Association, which applied last year to be recognized as an independent union representing about 300 members.
The legislation lifts a ban on unionization for the lawyers, who advise government on new laws and represent it in civil court.
But it forces them to join the Professional Employees Association, an existing union, rather than establishing a new union [...]
