Ford Government’s Bill 5 Would End Endangered Species Protections and Attack Clean Energy

Newly tabled bill is an attack on the public direct from the Trump Administration playbook

“Bill 5 would repeal Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007, marking the end of most meaningful provincial protections for endangered, threatened and special concern species in Ontario.” – Phil Pothen, Ontario Environment program manager, Environmental Defence

“It’s appalling that the government is exploiting U.S. threats to push an ideological agenda that could effectively ban solar energy in Ontario—driving up electricity bills and increasing pollution.” – Aliénor Rougeot, Climate and Energy senior program manager, Environmental Defence

A Statement from the citizens advocacy group Environmental Defence, followed by a News Release from the Green Party of Ontario

Posted May 5th, 2025 on Niagara At Large

Stop Ford Government’s Bill 5 and  attack on endangered species and cleaner, greener  environment for us all.

Toronto, Ontario – Bill 5 would, if passed, deal a body blow to the environment and hopes for energy sovereignty in Ontario.

It reads like an attempt to outdo even the most regressive policies and the most transparently false political pretexts of the Trump Administration. This Bill represents a direct attack on species at risk, clean and healthy communities, clean energy and the rights of Indigenous peoples.

These are exactly the values Premier Ford claimed he would protect when seeking re-election. Ontarians deserve better than broken promises and policies that threaten our environment, our communities and our future.

If passed, Bill 5, will:

• keep Ontario dependent on imported fracked gas from the U.S. by killing homegrown renewable energy. It would enable the government to ban all parts of energy projects that come from abroad, especially China. China makes the majority of solar panels (over 80 per cent), wind turbines (around 60 per cent) and control systems in the world. If enacted, this will likely end solar power installation in Ontario and deprive Ontarians access to the cleanest source of new electricity available.
• repeal Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 marking the end of most meaningful provincial protections for endangered, threatened and special concern species in Ontario.
• attempt to curtail Indigenous involvement by ending archeological assessment requirements that would identify Indigenous or other cultural values.
• create Special Economic Zones (SEZ), where hand-picked developers can ignore municipal and provincial laws.
• exempt the Therme Group development at Ontario Place from the requirements of the Environmental Bill of Rights.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

Now here is the Green Party of Ontario’s News Release on Ford’s Bill 5 – 

Doug Ford is Gutting Ontario’s Endangered Species Act

News from the Green Party of Canada

Posted April 29^th, 2025 on Niagara At Large

Last week, Doug Ford introduced Bill 5 — legislation that fast-tracks mining and infrastructure projects at the direct expense of Ontario’s most vulnerable wildlife.

This bill would effectively dismantle the Endangered Species Act, allowing the government to remove species from the protected list at will — and letting developers push forward without accounting for environmental consequences.

Today, more than 230 species of plants and animals are at risk in Ontario. For over a decade, the Endangered Species Act has been a vital safeguard. Now, Doug Ford wants to tear it up.

Instead of building responsibly, investing in skilled workers, and protecting our natural heritage, Ford is choosing reckless shortcuts — putting species like caribou, wolverines, and gray foxes in greater danger.

This isn’t leadership. It’s negligence.

At the Ontario Greens, we believe protecting nature is part of what makes Ontario — and Canada — truly special. That’s why we’re fighting back. But we can’t do it without your help.

[Stand with us today.](https://secure.gpo.ca/civicrm/mailing/url?u=210754&qid=121660271) Help us send a clear message to Doug Ford.

Endangered species are worth saving.

• Sincerely, Ontario Greens

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