BRAZEN BILL BLATANTLY FAVOURS BIZ OVER BIODIVERSITY BUT GETS THEM BOTH WRONG

MAY 12, 2025 – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater and ocean, has updated Ontario and Doug Ford’s ‘environmental report card’ with a serious reprimand for ‘sneaking’ in Bill 5 just before the Easter holiday. In fact, the sweeping changes proposed by Bill 5 have moved Ontario down from a worst of class “F” rating on the environment, to a recommended suspension (and possible expulsion, should the bill pass).

“In the March release of our National Report Card ON THE PATH TO 2030: A Report Card on Progress to Protect Land and Ocean Across Canada, Ontario was flagged as a ‘Laggard’ with one of the lowest grades of any Canadian province or territory (“F”)…that was before they hit us with Bill 5 (and hoped we wouldn’t notice over the Easter holiday),” said Sandra Schwartz, National Executive Director of CPAWS.

Why is Bill 5 so obviously backwards?

“Doug Ford is selling Bill 5 as a way to fast-track industrial development in the province, build roads and other infrastructure, and access Ontario’s critical minerals at a time when our national sovereignty is in jeopardy. What Bill 5 will actually do is grant the provincial government sweeping authority to bypass or change legal requirements while at the same time, extinguishing rights of Indigenous Peoples, landowners, farmers, and cottagers, and avenues for appeal, all at the expense of over 200 at-risk species and the sustainable use of our natural resources into the future. We know Ontarians won’t stand for this,” added Schwartz.

It’s spun as fast tracking but will grind things to an abrupt halt

Doug Ford claims Bill 5 will fast-track economic development. In fact, it will make development come to a grinding halt. It will cause costly potential delays and hesitations as individual projects face significant push back.

It’s bad for developers because they will face a more adversarial and oppositional landscape where Indigenous and environmental voices are in opposition to Bill 5 and no longer able to work well with them directly.

Bill 5 will also foolishly remove 3^rd party verification for environmental projects. This will prevent companies from selling products at a premium based on verifiable high standards because it would potentially remove all standards.

“Bill 5 is not going to “protect Ontario” in any way, shape, or form,” said John McDonnell, CPAWS Ottawa Valley’s Executive Director. “This Bill would be devastating for Ontario’s species at risk, natural and cultural heritage, and would undermine Indigenous Sovereignty. It will trample the vulnerable for the benefit of the wealthy. Ontarians know better than to give their government this kind of unchecked power, and their voices will be heard.”

It will bulldoze Ontario’s natural heritage

“CPAWS is not against economic development,” added Schwartz. “But we are categorically against Ford’s Bill 5. This reckless bill would sabotage Ontario’s economic prosperity and our environment for years to come.  A thriving economy doesn’t exist without thriving natural resources. Bill 5 will bulldoze Ontario’s natural heritage.”

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About CPAWS  

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater and ocean with a strong national and regional presence across the country. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we are focused on conserving nature to respond to the dual crises of accelerated biodiversity loss and climate change. Our vision is that at least half of land, freshwater and ocean in Canada is permanently protected to sustain nature and people for current and future generations. For more information about CPAWS and the work we do to safeguard Canada’s natural heritage, visit cpaws.org. Join our community on Bluesky, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Donate today. Take action.