Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, is being referred to by Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) as “An Attack on Ontario’s Environment, Democracy and the Rule of Law.”
The group recently organized a protest in Bracebridge and says the legislation calls for the ability to create special zones, which would be exempt from “ALL provincial and municipal laws (including environmental, Indigenous rights, labour, public safety, heritage and even the Environmental Bill of Rights). That is, any project is above the law,” reads a statement released in their May newsletter. “We cannot let the Ontario government use the U.S. trade war as a flimsy excuse to destroy the rule of law in Ontario through Bill 5, the so-called “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,” it adds.
Doppler reached out to Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith on the matter and received the following written response:
“It shouldn’t take upwards of 15 years to open a mine in Ontario. These substantial delays hold back jobs, investment, and our ability to compete globally. Through Bill 5, we’re cutting red tape and unlocking critical projects while strengthening environmental protections, including introducing serious consequences for offenders including fines, or even jail time, and new enforcement powers to hold bad actors accountable. We’re also quadrupling funding for the Species Conservation Program to $20 million annually to support on-the-ground recovery efforts. That matters in regions like Parry Sound–Muskoka, where protecting local ecosystems and supporting species at risk go hand in hand with building sustainable economic opportunities. This Bill in no way reduces the duty to consult obligation with Indigenous communities. By working in true partnership with Indigenous communities to progress major development opportunities, we are building pathways towards lasting economic reconciliation the right way, together.”
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The Endangered Species Act that they wish to repeal contains the same penalties as the proposed Species Conservation Act as well as measures to hold bad actors accountable.
A key difference in the new act is the purpose which is “to provide for the protection and conservation of species while taking into account social and economic considerations, including the need for sustainable economic growth in Ontario”. We all know that the environment loses every time when economics are put up against wildlife. How does one measure the effect of a caribou, Jefferson Salamander or Redside dace on the economy? Only in red tape delays it appears.
Another difference is also that the test of the loss appears to be impact of the project on its continued presence in Ontario. So the project can be greenlit as long as the species can be found somewhere else, until it isn’t. And with the proposed changes in habitat definitions I would defy any of us to survive if it were applied to us.
There is so much wrong in Bill 5 – scrap Schedules 2, 9 and 10 – Ontario is better than this.
Mr Smith seems to be talking out of both sides of his mouth.
If He can’t speak positively on protection and supporting a turtle habitat near a rural road in Muskoka, how does one have any faith or integrity from him when he is talking about this bill. Maybe he needs to do a check on his support for the environmental concerns here at home and the protection of indigenous rights and the rights of others in Ontario. In my opinion
It’s money, money many times over , starting with Mr. Ford and splilling down to the likes of Mr. Smith.
John R. Earl, Huntsville
I do not support Bill 5 for all the aforementioned reasons compiled by sound research. I have signed a petition which can be found online (change.org). Hoping many others will exercise their rights as citizens to stop this intrusive and dangerous Bill.
Bit of a difference of viewpoint here between MPP Graydon and Climate Action!
Any way to determine which one is the “truth” or correct answer here?
I’d sort of like to believe my MPP’s take on this to be true but looking at the other comments and based on my observations of past history I’m left wondering who is speaking truth here. I get the feeling this whole thing is on a shaky foundation.
I am glad to hear that you believe that Bill 5 in “no way reduces the duty to consult ” with indigenous communities- since in practice it has often been minimal for the most part. Related archaeological assessment requirements will be curtailed or ended by elements of Bill 5. Why else would three Treaty 9 Chiefs be planning to challenge the “Special Economic Zones?” There is already a lawsuit by more than a dozen Treaty 9 First Nations vs Ontario for the way resource and land management decisions are made unilaterally by the government. Bill 5 and related legislation proposed appears to be an attempt to legislate away its responsibilities and also essentially gain immunity for all infractions, including ecological or other harms by developers selected by the province for projects like Therme Ontario Place, Eagles Nest Mines, Dresden Waste Disposal site and a tunnel under the 401. The rush to dig ourselves into a false security from tariffs will be at very high cost and risk to irreplaceable natural assets that we and the plants and animals need to live.
Bill 5 does not “Protect Ontario” auto workers who have already lost jobs and need good permanent jobs now. Here, Muskoka tourism and our beautiful quality of life, depends on the living network of water, soils, trees, plants and animals.
Real economic strength and resilience depends on valuing the land, the clean water and air and the rights of all our people now and those of generations to come.
Others see Bill 5 very differently, Mr. Smith. Economic growth is essential; bulldozing it through at the expense of clean air, water and land, the planetary systems that sustain us, is untenable. Doing so by creating these executive powers similar to those seen south of the border risks compromising our democratic values.
Here’s how others see Bill 5:
Laura Bowman, Lawyer with Ecojustice, describes Schedule 9 of Bill 5, Special Economic Zones Act, as very alarming. Premier Ford or his Cabinet ministers can designate ANY project and choose ANY proponents (i.e. developer friends) any where, any time, for any reason by creating a Special Economic Zone – a blank slate with no process, no transparency, no criteria and no guardrails except “get it done” Once designated these “special economic zones” and their “trusted proponents”, another undefined term in the bill, can be EXEMPT from any existing Provincial and Municipal legislation.
Lawyer Bowman raises the alert that Bill 5 repeals the Endangered Species Act and replaces it with the Species Conservation Act. There is no longer a goal to protect a species and their habitat essential for survival. There is no provision to recover and support a species at risk. Instead, the definition of habitat to protect is as minimal as just the individual nest or just the area around the root structure of a plant or tree. Simply register the tiny space with a click on line or risk the large fines Graydon references. Then bulldoze the surroundings. Conservation has become optional in Bill 5.
Amnesty International agrees that the creation of “special economic zones” may suspend provincial laws, including those protecting endangered species, clean water, and consultation with Indigenous Nations, in order to fast-track development. “We echo the alarms raised by Indigenous leaders and environmental advocates who have called Bill 5 a brazen power grab,” said Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada.
The Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations says, “Many of the proposed changes in Bill 5 are not tariff-related but instead are intended to remove outstanding environmental barriers to the government achieving some of their preferred development outcomes”. FOCA also raises alerts on the lack of definition of the scope or geography of “Special Economic Zones” allowed by Bill 5.
Justina Ray with the Wildlife Conservation Authority says Bill 5 removes protections on land, water and species and makes it possible to override any existing protections to this critical natural infrastructure. Our health and economic well-being, dependent on this infrastructure, are already facing climate vulnerability, species loss and ecosystem destruction. In addition, Bill 5 will allow the degradation of the Ring of Fire whose Peat areas are critical to Global Climate Stability. Once disturbed there can be no recovery and the methane released will be catastrophically consequential to climate heating.
Mr. Smith, these are only a few trusted experts in trusted organizations that have analyzed the scope and intent of this omnibus Bill. They are urging Ontarians to speak up. They do not share your political spin on this very alarming legislation. Nor do I.