Otherwise known as the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act”, Bill 5 grants Doug Ford and the government of Ontario the power to create “special economic zones” where development projects are rendered exempt from environmental regulations and provincial laws. Furthermore, it repeals the gold-standard ‘Endangered Species Act’ of 2007; replacing it with a framework that weakens habitat protections, strips provincial protection from over 100 species, and hands over the power to classify species at risk to the Cabinet, instead of by trained, unbiased scientists.
Reported impacts and consequences since the bill was enacted:
● Weakened Environmental Protections: The Act significantly narrowed the definition of “habitat,” restricting protections to specific sites such as nesting or denning areas instead of the broader ecosystems species rely on. It also eliminated certain provincial protections for migratory birds and fish.
● “Pay-to-Slay” Concerns and Oversight Gaps: Instead of requiring expert environmental review, permits for projects that may harm endangered species have been replaced by a simplified online registration system, raising concerns about reduced accountability.
● Avoidance of Environmental Assessments: The legislation enabled the expansion of a landfill near Dresden, Ontario, without undergoing a formal environmental assessment, despite opposition from local and regional communities.
● Impacts on Indigenous Rights: The Act permits the creation of “Special Economic Zones,” such as in the Ring of Fire, where standard laws can be bypassed. Legal experts warn this may undermine the constitutional duty to consult First Nations and threaten their right to self-determination.
● Legal Challenges: In response, First Nations groups have launched legal action, arguing the bill poses a serious and immediate threat to their traditional ways of life and lands.
Supporters of the legislation argue these measures are needed to accelerate mining and infrastructure development and cut regulatory delays. Critics, however, describe the consequences as potentially irreversible environmental harm and a significant erosion of legal protections.
Click here to see some of the 100 species that are being impacted by Bill 5.