For the past two weeks, we’ve been sharing information about Bill 5, Ontario’s proposed “Protecting Ontario by Preserving Our Economy Act.” We felt it was important to help our communities, partners, and allies understand what this legislation means, not just in theory, but on the land and in people’s lives. In this post, we want to share clearly and concretely how Bill 5 affects Wahkohtowin's work and vision, from conservation and forestry to carbon management and community

Ontario’s Bill 5 fast-tracks industrial development at the expense of environmental safeguards and Indigenous rights. One of the most urgent and irreversible consequences of this legislation is its impact on wildlife, biodiversity, and the delicate ecosystems that sustain life in the North.

Ontario’s Bill 5, formally known as the Protecting Ontario by Enabling Economic Growth Act, 2025, introduces the power to create Special Economic Zones (SEZs) — areas where the Province can override environmental laws, Indigenous rights, and local governance to accelerate industrial development. At Wahkohtowin, we are deeply concerned by the scope and implications of this legislation. It poses a serious threat to Indigenous lands, cultures, and sovereignty — particularly in N