WHEREAS Ford passed Bill 5 by ignoring Ontarians and First Nations, and ramming it through the Legislature with undemocratic speed;
WHEREAS Bill 5 creates “Special Economic Zones”, which would allow Ministers to pick a region or project and suspend any law: labour laws, environmental protections, public health rules—even legal liability;
WHEREAS First Nations leadership has been clear that Bill 5 violates the duty to consult and ignores the requirement of their free, prior, and informed consent;
WHEREAS Bill 5 disrespects Treaty rights and threatens critical land and water by gutting protections for archaeological sites and endangered species in the province;
WHEREAS Bill 5 could delay or derail important projects in Northern Ontario by provoking legal and social conflict; and
WHEREAS the Ford government is ignoring real solutions and choosing instead to politicize critical infrastructure and development projects.
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, PETITION THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO AS FOLLOWS:
To repeal Bill 5 and start over with full consultation, including with First Nations, to do development right in Ontario.