Why southwestern Ontario's conservationists worry Bill 5 could erase history and wildlife
CBC
Conservationists and archaeologists in Southwestern Ontario are worried that legislation designed to speed up infrastructure development and resource extraction in the province could cause irreparable damage to existing ecosystems and the loss of Indigenous and historical artifacts.
Bill 5, also named the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, was introduced by the Ontario government last month.
If enacted, it would grant the province the ability to create special economic zones where businesses or projects could operate under significantly reduced environmental protections or municipal oversight.
"Development is important for our province but I don't think we should be sacrificing things like archaeological sites, our heritage or our rare species," said Scarlett Janusas, past-president of the Ontario Marine Heritage Commission.
"These are elements that have no voice of their own, so we as citizens of Ontario need to speak out for them and for their protection."
The Ford government pitched Bill 5 as necessary to developing natural resources in Ontario in response to the threats posed to the province by U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs.
"President Trump wants to destroy our economy, take jobs away from Ontarians and Canadians, and we have to get up and fight like we've never fought before," Premier Doug Ford said in April. "We can't be caught up in red tape and regulations and dilly-dallying around."
In a written statement the province said the bill is focused on creating conditions to allow businesses to confidently invest in Ontario.
"In the face of growing global economic uncertainty and ongoing U.S. tariffs, Ontario must remain competitive in attracting and securing job-creating investments," the statement said.
One of the environmental protections targeted by Bill 5 is the Endangered Species Act 2007 which identifies and protects species at risk. The act would be replaced by the Species 2025 act, that experts say is a much weaker piece of legislation granting government the ability to decide which species receive protection.
While speed is of the essence for the province, Windsor naturalist Paul Pratt believes a measured approach is necessary to ensure that major projects do not put irreplaceable natural assets at risk in Southwestern Ontario.
"I think using the excuse of, 'We can't take care of nature because we need jobs' is a huge fallacy," Pratt said
Pratt has been a conservationist in Southwest Ontario for more than four decades and was active when the Endangered Species Act first became law. He said the act was critical in helping to restore the bald eagle population in Essex County which was decimated by chemical use.
"Their nests basically failed every year because of DDT in their systems," he said. "But with a lot of work and the elimination of DDT and protecting their habitat, they have reached a point where I see bald eagles almost every time I'm out exploring in the county."
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.