Sweeping changes would scale back protections for species at risk and duties to consult with First Nations

Indigenous leaders and communities across the province are alarmed by Ontario Government plans to introduce sweeping changes that would scale back species at risk protections and reduce its obligations to consult with First Nation on resource development within traditional territories.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the government’s proposed Bill 5, also known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, on April 17.  It would result in sweeping changes to Mining Act, Environmental Assessment Act, the Environmental Protection Act, and Endangered Species Act, among others.

The bill was introduced under the guise of protecting Ontario’s economy in the face of ongoing tariff threats from the United States by cutting “red tape and duplicative processes” on major infrastructure, mining and resource development projects, including in the Ring of Fire.

Proposed changes to the Mining Act are sparking concern because there seems to be no mention of how First Nations will be involved in the authorization of mining activity, that otherwise would not be approved without consultation and the free, prior and informed consent of affected Indigenous communities.

The new law would also remove provincial protections for certain aquatic species and migratory birds that are also protected under the federal Species at Risk Act. One of the most significant changes would narrow the definition of habitat to a specific dwelling place such as a den or nest as opposed to an area where a species may be known to gather food or reproduce.

Omushkego people are encouraged to learn more and review the bill, which can be viewed in its entirety, at https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-5

For those who wish to provide feedback on Bill 5, submissions to the Environmental Registry of Ontario will open until May 17, 2025, and can be found here: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0416.

The attached release was jointly issued by Attawapiskat First Nation, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.