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Hamilton Spectator
12-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Opponents rally as Ford government barrels ahead with Bill 5
After an atypically quick process, the Ford government last week passed Bill 5, leaving a large group of opponents scrambling to carry on the fight Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, was passed on June 4, pushed through just before the legislature adjourned for a 137-day summer break. The bill includes sweeping changes to the province's endangered species and environmental protection laws. It also creates 'special economic zones' that can override provincial and municipal laws for certain projects the province wants to fast-track, the likes of Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire. Premier Doug Ford said in a press conference June 5 that he was simply trying to speed up the process to bolster the economy in the face of U.S. tariffs and other threats. 'Bill 5 is going to bring prosperity, especially to our First Nations community, and support them with prosperity, growth, and job opportunities, and we just look forward to getting out throughout the province,' said Ford. Opponents, including many First Nations groups, weren't embracing the changes. 'Our chiefs have made it clear that they fully reject Bill 5, and the Chiefs of Ontario stand by and defend the position of the chiefs,' said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict in a release. 'First Nations rights holders must be at the table, and the government must fulfill its constitutional and treaty obligations.' The Chiefs of Ontario also invited Ford to their annual assembly on June 17-19 to 'understand the real consequences' that the legislation will have. At his press conference, Ford added that many chiefs are on board with Bill 5 and are 'excited for an opportunity – they're excited to be equity partners.' Another controversial part of Bill 5 comes with the changes being made to the Endangered Species Act, which has seen many protections removed. Ontario Nature's Shane Moffat told The Observer that these new changes were a huge concern. 'The scrapping of the Endangered Species Act is a stunning move by this government in the middle of a global biodiversity crisis. That is just one of the most short-sighted decisions I've ever seen,' said Moffat. He added that this legislation will allow developers to register and then be able to operate simply without any 'clear requirements to protect air, water, forests, other important natural ecosystems and species habitats.' Kitchener Centre MPP and Green Party deputy leader Aislinn Clancy echoed that sentiment, and criticized the speed at which the bill was pushed through. 'There were different kinds of filibustering, delays for votes, and interruptions of the normal process. The government itself allocated time, and it put a firm stop on things, so used their toolbox to kind of limit further debate on the bill,' said Clancy. She said there was hope that the widespread opposition to the bill could lead to a better dialogue with the community. 'If there was more time over the summer, the government could kind of hear from their communities about the disapproval and the lack of support this has in our communities. Clancy added that there has been a pattern from the Conservative government of putting legislation through without consultation. 'They put it together without consulting with Indigenous people in the first place. 'Right off the start, they've broken trust and broken norms and gone back on their word. So, I think the opposition parties were trying to express how unpopular this bill was.' Clancy noted that another issue that faces this bill is the major conflict of interest that could arise from the power the bill gives to the cabinet. 'It puts the cabinet in an unhealthy position where they could make decisions to pursue their interests and put the needs of a corporation ahead of anything else,' she explained. She pointed to the likes of controversies around the Ontario Place redevelopment, a new landfill site in Dresden and the construction of Highway 413 through the Greenbelt as examples of what might be pushed through under Bill 5. 'They could use these special economic zones anywhere in Ontario to justify overriding all rules. I don't think anybody should be complacent about this power grab. They should be speaking out against this awful threat to democracy,' said Clancy. Now that the bill has passed, opposition MPPs and nature groups have to shift gears from stopping this bill to attempting to get it repealed. Clancy added that this will be similar to the Greenbelt situation, where people were in the streets working to get that piece of legislation repealed. 'I anticipate that, over the summer, Indigenous communities have said, 'This is idle no more, part two. So they've been determined to block roads. I think there will be court challenges. I think political parties, partner organizations, and environmental groups, labour is galvanized by this as well,' said Clancy. She added that many groups will come together to show that they believe in 'due process and fair democracies'. 'I think we're going to see a lot of groups uniting across the province and demonstrating a really aggressive distaste for this kind of sweeping, authoritarian-style, Trump-style legislation.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? 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CTV News
11-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Red-winged blackbirds are attacking Toronto residents again. Here is why
The red-winged blackbird is a familiar and noisy inhabitant of nearly any wet habitat across Canada. (Canadian Wildlife Federation/Keith Sharkey) Torontonians hoping to enjoy a walk or run this summer should prepare to be back on the defensive as dive-bombing attacks from the notoriously small but mighty red-winged blackbirds have reportedly returned. The small bird that bears an uncanny resemblance to the famed bird from the Angry Birds game, shares more similarities than just their bold-coloured appearance. Pedestrians and runners around the city have taken to social media to report sightings of the birds. In past years, the bird's have been particularly prevalent in Toronto's Liberty Village neighbourhood, but experts say they are common near areas with dense vegetation and water. But why do the birds display such high levels of aggression? The songbirds' defence mechanism is triggered when humans or other large animals approach their nesting areas, which can lead to them defending their nests against what they perceive as a threat, Andrés Jiménez Monge, the Executive Director of Ontario Nature told CTV News on Tuesday. 'They're defending because they have a housing crisis,' Monge says. 'Very little ecosystems and habitats are left in certain areas, and some cases, in those poor-quality habitats that are left, one male ends up with having a ton of females (mates) because that's where they found an opportunity to nest.' The birds that carry out these aerial attacks are usually the males of the species, he adds. The breeding season of the red-winged blackbird begins in early May and could continue until August, when they can be witnessed flocking in the marshlands preparing to migrate for the winter, Monge says. Primarily, they nest in areas with dense vegetation, like parts of marshlands or in wetlands, he explains. But due to rapid urban development, much of their natural habitat is now closer to the residential population. The blackbirds usually call out warnings prior to taking any action and attacking, but most people – like runners or pedestrians wearing headphones – don't hear their calls, he adds, which leads to them attacking anyone who comes close to their nests. 'They fiercely defend their territories during the breeding season, spending more than a quarter of daylight hours in territorial defence,' Monge says. He states that being mindful of the animals and birds and their habitats could substantially decrease the likelihood of being attacked by them. 'Pay attention to the birds. Look at them and realize if they are calling and singing,' Monge says. 'And if they (people) just stand a little bit away from dense vegetation where they like to nest, they will easily avoid being confronted by a red-winged blackbird.'
CTV News
11-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Red-winged blackbirds are attacking Toronto residents again. Here is why
The red-winged blackbird is a familiar and noisy inhabitant of nearly any wet habitat across Canada. (Canadian Wildlife Federation/Keith Sharkey) Torontonians hoping to enjoy a walk or run this summer should prepare to be back on the defensive as dive-bombing attacks from the notoriously small but mighty red-winged blackbirds have reportedly returned. The small bird that bears an uncanny resemblance to the famed bird from the Angry Birds game, shares more similarities than just their bold-coloured appearance. Pedestrians and runners around the city have taken to social media to report sightings of the birds. In past years, the bird's have been particularly prevalent in Toronto's Liberty Village neighbourhood, but experts say they are common near areas with dense vegetation and water. But why do the birds display such high levels of aggression? The songbirds' defence mechanism is triggered when humans or other large animals approach their nesting areas, which can lead to them defending their nests against what they perceive as a threat, Andrés Jiménez Monge, the Executive Director of Ontario Nature told CTV News on Tuesday. 'They're defending because they have a housing crisis,' Monge says. 'Very little ecosystems and habitats are left in certain areas, and some cases, in those poor-quality habitats that are left, one male ends up with having a ton of females (mates) because that's where they found an opportunity to nest.' The birds that carry out these aerial attacks are usually the males of the species, he adds. The breeding season of the red-winged blackbird begins in early May and could continue until August, when they can be witnessed flocking in the marshlands preparing to migrate for the winter, Monge says. Primarily, they nest in areas with dense vegetation, like parts of marshlands or in wetlands, he explains. But due to rapid urban development, much of their natural habitat is now closer to the residential population. The blackbirds usually call out warnings prior to taking any action and attacking, but most people – like runners or pedestrians wearing headphones – don't hear their calls, he adds, which leads to them attacking anyone who comes close to their nests. 'They fiercely defend their territories during the breeding season, spending more than a quarter of daylight hours in territorial defence,' Monge says. He states that being mindful of the animals and birds and their habitats could substantially decrease the likelihood of being attacked by them. 'Pay attention to the birds. Look at them and realize if they are calling and singing,' Monge says. 'And if they (people) just stand a little bit away from dense vegetation where they like to nest, they will easily avoid being confronted by a red-winged blackbird.'
Hamilton Spectator
06-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Doug Ford vows to use Bill 5 to open the Ring of Fire ‘as quickly as possible'
Premier Doug Ford says he will designate the Ring of Fire — which holds critical mineral deposits in northwestern Ontario — a special economic zone 'as quickly as possible' in order to open mines now that Bill 5 has passed. 'We need to start moving on that. We have a lot of excitement and a great partnership with Chief Sonny,' Ford said Thursday, referring to a January agreement signed with Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon to upgrade the roads and energy transmission lines needed to create a mining hub. 'They're going to see a road they never had. They're going to get off the diesel that they've been living on and get electricity.' The legislation, which fast-tracks mining and infrastructure projects by exempting them from local and provincial rules, has been slammed by opposition parties and others for weakening environmental, endangered species and labour protections, and ignoring aboriginal treaty rights. That means 'unchecked powers' for Ford's Progressive Conservatives under the Protect Ontario By Unleashing Our Economy Act, said Tony Morris of the lobby group Ontario Nature. 'The government may have rammed this legislation through, but we have seen incredible opposition from Indigenous peoples, environmental groups, farmers, labour organizations and people from across the province.' Touting the bill in the face of warnings from some First Nations that they will blockade highways and block projects 'on the ground' in protest over a lack of prior consultation on the bill, Ford would not specify which laws his government would exempt companies from in special economic zones. 'Let's see what companies come to the table and, depending on how quickly we can get opportunities and jobs, we'll reveal them,' the premier told reporters. 'When we feel that we need to speed things up, we'll speed things up.' Opposition parties have warned the legislation will be challenged in the courts and face protests that will slow development down, not speed it up as Ford hopes to do to counter the economic slowdown expected to result from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. 'Don't raise the boiling point,' Green Leader Mike Schreiner said. 'We all want to see more economic development in this province, and it's not going to happen as fast as we would like if the premier divides us.' He noted special economic zones can be designated anywhere in the province under the legislation, raising concerns that prime farmland, for example, could be taken out of service. 'We are approaching what I'm afraid may be a summer of chaos,' said New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles. 'You cannot trust this government to give themselves unlimited powers.' The pushback the government is experiencing is 'a symbol of how flawed this legislation is,' Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie added. Appearing with Ford, Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said Indigenous communities have been offered $3 billion to help develop projects to improve their fortunes and develop their resources. The Trump tariffs have led to an 'abrupt halt' in capital investments by companies around the world and Ontario wants to be ready when the fog clears and billions of dollars are 'unleashed' in countries with good opportunities, Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli said.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Media Statement - Bill 5 Must Be Withdrawn
We acknowledge that there are 46 treaties and other agreements that cover the territory now called Ontario and our roles and responsibilities as Treaty partners. We recognize the inherent rights and responsibilities of Indigenous Nations, who have cared for and governed Turtle Island since time immemorial TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - On May 22 and May 26, the Canadian Union of Public Employees – Ontario (CUPE Ontario), Ecojustice, Friends of Attawapiskat River, Neskantaga First Nation, Ontario Nature, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE), Toronto Zoo and Wildlands League expressed our concerns and recommendations with the Government of Ontario's proposed Bill 5 to the Standing Committee on the Interior. Collectively, we believe that economic resilience can and must go hand in hand with Indigenous rights and sovereignty, robust democratic institutions, sound engineering practices, labour laws and strong environmental standards. Bill 5 is sweeping legislation that concentrates unprecedented powers in the hands of provincial ministers without proper checks and balances. It removes independent, science-based decision-making regarding Ontario's most vulnerable species and weakens protections for their habitats. It fast tracks two politically selected projects – a mine in northern Ontario and a landfill in southwestern Ontario, without requiring comprehensive environmental assessments. The proposed "special economic zones" could be created anywhere in the province, suspending all existing laws and regulations related to labour conditions, health and safety, employment and environmental standards. Fundamentally, Bill 5 disregards the inherent and constitutionally protected rights of Indigenous Peoples. The provincial government could unilaterally fast-track projects by bypassing the free, prior and informed consent of First Nations. The recent amendments to include Duty to Consult provisions do not address these concerns. For Ontario to keep its competitive attractiveness, economic development must be guided by Indigenous collaboration, transparency, technical and scientific expertise, and environmental stewardship. A resilient economy depends on predictable regulatory frameworks, long-term planning and respect for Indigenous rights and democratic norms. The Government of Ontario is limiting democratic debate on Bill 5 in the legislature and has had no time to meaningfully consider comments received through the Environmental Registry of Ontario to justify ramming this bill through. We urge the Government of Ontario to immediately withdraw Bill 5 and sit down with Indigenous nations, labour groups, engineers, scientists, environmental organizations, industry and residents of Ontario to collaboratively develop evidence-based, inclusive and sustainable solutions for a prosperous Ontario. SOURCE Ontario Nature View original content:
