A group of local citizens are not pleased with proposed legislation in Ontario designed to reduce regulatory barriers to economic development of the province’s resources.
During the evening on Monday, May 12, they gathered by Main Street in Vankleek Hill to protest and gather signatures in opposition of Bill 5, also known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act.
Premier Doug Ford’s government has introduced the legislation as a key way of encouraging economic development repositioning Ontario industry following changes in trade with the United States. The government sees the legislation as a way of cutting red tape and duplicative processes that have held back major infrastructure and mining and resource development projects.
The legislation is designed to streamline the process of overlapping and duplicative approvals from multiple ministries and levels of government. The province alleges the changes will maintain environmental standards and fulfilling constitutional obligations to Indigenous communities.
Key measures in this legislation include giving the Ontario government the authority to designate Special Economic Zones to help advance projects of provincial importance and security; accelerate mining development in every part of the province; speeding up housing, transit; infrastructure and other projects impacting certain species; establishing a new Species Conservation Program; saving businesses money by eliminating registration fees; protecting critical mineral resources from bad actors; and building a secure energy grid.
The bill was part of the Ford government’s plan outlined in the Speech from the Throne at the beginning of the current session of the legislature, following the Progressive Conservative election victory in February. However, those opposed to the legislation allege it was slipped in by the government while the public was preoccupied with other issues like the federal election.
Former provincial and federal Green Party candidate Thaila Riden of Vankleek Hill spoke at the demonstration and said Bill 5 is a so-called omnibus bill which would change many provincial laws. He said SEZ’s would remove Indigenous rights, labour safety, and municipal authority. He described it as “Protecting Ontario by removing protections.”
“There won’t be any oversight,” Riden remarked.
Even though the bill promises to address species conservation, Riden said it would in fact reduce endangered species protection.
The group in Vankleek Hill has started at petition opposing Bill 5. It had more than 60 signatures as of Monday evening. Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Ted Hsu (Liberal), Jamie West (NDP), and Peter Tabuns (NDP) have expressed their support.
When asked if Bill 5 is an important step for accelerating economic development in Ontario, Riden said economic development can be accelerated without removing protections for the environment, workers, and Indigenous people.
While Riden was the guest speaker at the demonstration, its main organizer was Brigitte Bérubé.
“This law (bill) is wrong. It’s a way to bypass checks and balances,” she said.
Bérubé said it concerned her because it could make it easier for projects like the previously proposed cement plant near L’Orignal to again go forward.
Bill 5 is still before the legislature. It must be subjected to public comment, possible review by a committee, and three votes by the legislature before it may become law. The public has until midnight on May 17 to make comments in favour or against it on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Those comments may be made at https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0380.
Photos: James Morgan
