As Canada begins to address the American tariffs, leaders are looking to promote economic growth. However, these bills threaten environmental protections, Indigenous rights, and workers rights. We are losing government transparency and democratic decision making. In Ontario, Bill 5 would allow special economic zones to be created, such as gravel pits, polluting industry, or subdivisions. Let’s take a closer look at each bill below:
Bill 5
- Replaces the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with the weakened Species Conservation Act, 2025
- Limits the ability to protect habit for species at risk
- Indirectly harms species at risk due to stress and displacement that will be allowed
- Creates special economic zones (SEZs) that bypass key laws:
- Ontario Labour Relations Act, the Employment Standards Act, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code
- Overrides local governance such as municipal farmland protection and watershed planning
- Fails to guarantee free, prior, and informed consent and consultation to Indigenous communities before designating SEZs on unceded ancestral lands.
Bill C-5
The federal bill has two parts, the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act works to remove federal barriers to interprovincial trade. However, the second part, the Building Canada Act, is concerning.
- Allows for the designation of national interest projects (NIPs). Projects deemed to have economic or other benefits can be automatically pre-approved without review and assessment, bypassing important legislation for environmental protection and Indigenous rights.
- Relevant legislation includes: Impact Assessment Act, Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, Canadian Navigable Waters Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- Bypasses the Impact Assessment Act, which establishes that Indigenous people must be consulted and how consultation should occur. So, without these guidelines Indigenous communities are unsure of what consultation will look like in the future.
Summary
Ultimately, these bills assume that without de-regulation of environmental protection we cannot experience economic growth. Bill 5 and Bill C-5 are setting dangerous precedents that the provincial and federal governments are above the law. These laws will silence the voices of Canadians trying to protect our vulnerable species, natural areas, wetlands and farmland. The environment must not be seen as “red tape” preventing growth, but as a privilege to enjoy and protect.
Current Status of the Bills
Bill 5 was passed by the Ford government on June 5th and Bill C-5 was passed by the federal government on June 26th. Although these bills have been passed, it is not too late to have your voice heard! Numerous organizations and municipalities have raised concerns about these bills including the Toronto Zoo, the Canadian Environmental Law Association, Ontario Nature, the Ontario Farmland Trust, and the County of Brant.
Don’t agree with these bills? Here’s what you can do:
- SHARE this information with your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues about Bill 5 and C-5 and why it matters
- EDUCATE yourself further
- Ontario Nature Webinar to learn more about Bill 5 on July 9th: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SU_VEC2kRIONS5ILK3wj3g#/registration
- CONTACT elected officials (Bill 5 – your MPP and Premier Ford, Bill C-5 – your MP)
- Find your MPP and their contact information here: https://www.ola.org/en/members/current
- Use Ontario Nature’s petition and email outline (tip: alter the wording so the email cannot be filtered): https://ontarionature.good.do/repeal-bill-5/petition/
- Sign petitions that oppose Bill C-5.