Bill 5 passes despite opposition delay tactics

Ontario’s contentious Bill 5 passed its third reading by a vote of 71-44, despite the opposition’s efforts to delay its progress.

Marit Stiles, NDP leader of the official opposition, said in a video posted to the Ontario NDP’s X account that instead of achieving the goals reflected in Bill 5’s official title, the ‘Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act 2025,’ it plays into United States President Trump’s attack on Canada.

“It’s shameful. The government is giving themselves the power to scrap every law, every protection that Ontarians depend on,” Marit said, adding the bill effectively eliminates proper consultation or legislative debate.

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Bill 5’s introduction of special economic zones (SEZs), decreased public participation and oversight, and the consolidation of ministerial powers to override existing regulations and accelerate project approvals were concerns for Indigenous and environmental groups and those wanting to protect farmland.The hotly contested “special economic zones” permit the government to suspend laws to expedite projects. The bill was presented as a mining sector tool, but could be implemented anywhere across the province.

“This fight is not over, we will meet you on the ground,” said Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, in a post on X after the vote. “He (Premier Doug Ford) did not even have the guts to show up.”

CTV’s Queen’s Park bureau chief, Siobhan Morris, posted on X that Ford, Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex conservative MPP Steve Pinsonneault were not in attendance.

A follow-up post stated that the Premier’s office said a pre-scheduled call with a Florida congressman ran long, resulting in his absence from the chamber.

Pinsonneault strongly objected to the bill’s removal of an environmental assessment for the proposed Dresden landfill in his riding, Morris said.

Bonnie Crombie, leader of the Ontario Liberals, posted on X that Ford “passed himself unchecked power to rewrite laws, steamroll local governments and ignore Indigenous rights.” She urged voters to remember this moment the next time “Doug Ford claims he’s ‘protecting Ontario.’”

In a statement, Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner and Deputy Leader and MPP for Kitchener Center Aislinn Clancy said “Bill 5 is a direct and unprecedented attack on the sovereignty and rights of First Nations, environmental protections, labour laws and the democratic rights of all Ontarians. It threatens the planet, and the people and places we love in Ontario.”

Jessica Bell, NDP MPP for University-Rosedale and the official Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance anticipates that the bill will face challenges in court, in the legislature, and among the public.

“It will be challenged because Ontarians believe in human rights, Indigenous rights, farmland preservation, environmental protections, workers’ rights and democracy,” she said in an X post.

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