Sustainable Simcoe North

— by Madeleine Fournier of Green Orillia

Just before Parliament broke for the summer, two controversial pieces of legislation were quietly passed: Ontario’s Bill 5, the “Unleashing Our Economy Act”, and Canada’s Bill C-5, the “Build Canada Act”. Both were framed under the guise of ‘nation-building’ and protecting our country from President Trump’s tariffs. But do they really serve the public good?

Ontario’s Bill 5 

Let’s start with Ontario’s Bill 5. This bill contains 10 schedules, each packed with sweeping changes. Key among them:

• Rollback of endangered species protections: Bill 5 eliminates the requirement to replace destroyed habitats. It swaps permit-based oversight for a registration-based system and narrows the definition of “habitat” to only the dwelling places of species, excluding areas like feeding grounds and migration routes that are essential for survival.
• Creation of Special Economic Zones: The bill allows the provincial government to designate “special economic zones” where hand-picked “trusted proponents” can override virtually all provincial and municipal laws – environmental protections, labour standards, traffic laws, workplace safety regulations, and local bylaws included.
• Violations of Indigenous treaty rights: These projects can render Treaty lands inaccessible to First Nations, further eroding meaningful consultation and weakening environmental and archaeological assessments, such as those related to the proposed Eagle’s Nest Mine in the Ring of Fire. Many argue Bill 5 violates Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights.
• Elimination of labour protections: Within these zones, developers may be exempt from labour laws that safeguard worker safety and the right to unionize. Ford’s poor choices are likely steering the province toward yet another round of expensive and drawn-out court battles.

On June 2, the only First Nations MPP in Ontario, Sol Mamakwa, was removed from the legislature after accusing Premier Doug Ford of telling “untruths” around Bill 5, particularly his claims that he respects and honours treaties and the duty to consult. I joined hundreds of people outside of the provincial legislature that day for an “Our Rights Are Not For Sale” peaceful rally and round dance opposing Bill 5, organized by the Chiefs of Ontario. 

A group of Indigenous land defenders have been holding space at Queens Park in Toronto at a “Kill Bill 5 encampment” – they appreciate donations of firewood or funds, which can be e-transferred to K_llb_ll5@proton.me. You can also support Indigenous youth resisting Bill 5 here or here. Finally, contact your MPP to voice your disapproval. Our MPP in Simcoe North is Jill Dunlop, and she can be reached at jill.dunlopco@pc.ola.org.

Canada’s Bill C-5 

Next, there’s Canada’s Bill C-5. In a beautiful moment of colonial cooperation, Liberals and Conservatives pushed this legislation through with little resistance in parliament. Bill C-5 sets a troubling precedent. It allows Cabinet to pre-approve major resource extraction projects before undergoing environmental review or regulatory scrutiny. In effect, it reverses due process, prioritizing industry over informed consent and environmental protection. This opens the door for projects to proceed without fully assessing their impact or engaging meaningfully with Indigenous communities. 

Though marketed as a tool to counter Trump-era tariffs, Bill C-5 is clearly designed to fast-track so-called “national interest” projects. It’s no surprise that oil and gas developments are expected to top that list. This is especially disheartening given Mark Carney’s international reputation as a climate leader. He once warned that most fossil fuel reserves must remain in the ground to limit warming to under two degrees Celsius. I agreed with this sentiment and still do. But Carney’s recent support of policies like Bill C-5 raises serious questions. If he truly cared about nation-building, climate leadership, and reconciliation, he would advocate for: 

• A rapid, just transition away from fossil fuels
• A national East-West electricity grid powered by renewables
• A green public housing program
• Full implementation of UNDRIP and prioritization of Indigenous sovereignty

During the height of “Carney Mania”, I watched with skepticism as Canadian nationalism surged. Don’t get me wrong – the threat of a Pierre Poilievre government was real and deeply concerning, as is the ongoing menace of Donald Trump. But nationalism, particularly when uncritical, often leads to increasing militarization, surveillance, policing, extractivism, and austerity measures. I read a really great article before the election, Fight fascism with climate justice, not ‘Canada First’ nationalism that resonated deeply, reminding us that “We should be addressing the climate emergency through collective action that transcends political divisions, creating green jobs that do not depend on exploiting people or resources.” 

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, a Mississauga Anishnaabeg writer and academic, said in a recent interview: “I’ve felt like this elbows up response was to throw Indigenous peoples under the bus…and now we’re seeing Bill 5, Carney back this up with these bills that facilitate extractivism and further dispossession and the people who are going to pay the price are Indigenous people. The people who are going to be on the blockades that are subjecting themselves to police violence are the people trying to protect the Ring of Fire from extractivism. And from Indigenous peoples’ perspective, does it matter that much whether it’s American companies and Trump doing the violence of extractivism or if it’s Carney and the Canadians? The end result is pretty much the same.” 

Just this week, nine First Nations launched a legal challenge in Ontario’s Superior Court, seeking an injunction against both Bill 5 and Bill C-5. Their claim is that the bills represent a “clear and present danger” to their self-determination and way of life on their territories. I stand with them for this long fight ahead. I stand with all Indigenous communities and allies fighting to protect land, life, and water – for all of our collective future. 

Green Orillia is a grassroots organization focused on climate action, social justice, advocacy, education, democracy, and community resilience in Orillia and area. We operate on Anishinaabeg Williams Treaty Territory. Follow Green Orillia on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, join the Facebook Discussion Group, sign up for the e-newsletter, or check out the website. Get in touch at greenorillia@gmail.com.