Bill 5 and Wahkohtowin: What’s Really at Risk

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.

This article may be the final post in our Bill 5 series, but it’s not the end of the conversation. And it’s definitely not the end of our work to protect the land, uphold Indigenous governance, and build a better future in Northern Ontario.

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 health.

From this building, Wahkohtowin supports land-based stewardship, Indigenous governance, and sustainable futures. Bill 5 threatens the foundations of that work.

Indigenous Jurisdiction Is Being Ignored

Wahkohtowin exists to support our member Nations in reclaiming jurisdiction and protecting their traditional territories. This means upholding Treaty relationships, advancing Indigenous-led governance, and supporting stewardship rooted in community values.

Bill 5 goes against all of this. It gives the province the power to create “special economic zones” where industrial development can move forward quickly, with fewer environmental rules and little to no consultation with Indigenous Nations.

This kind of approach not only undermines Indigenous rights, it puts reconciliation further out of reach.

Height of Land: A Corridor in Conflict

The Height of Land (HOL) Indigenous Land Corridor is one of Wahkohtowin’s key initiatives. It’s a phased project to reconnect our traditional lands and create Indigenous-led conservation areas. Projects like HOL require cooperation, protection, and stability. Bill 5 introduces the opposite: development without environmental review, and zoning changes without consultation.

This threatens the establishment of the corridor, the wildlife that depend on it, and the cultural practices tied to these lands.

Guardians on the Ground, Left Out of the Process

Our Guardian Program puts trained land stewards out on the territory to monitor, protect, and report on changes to the land. They are vital knowledge holders and play a key role in conservation and cultural continuity.

But what happens when the legal protections they uphold are removed? If “special zones” take priority over Indigenous management, Guardians lose access, authority, and the tools to act. Their presence becomes symbolic instead of impactful.

That’s not stewardship, it’s sidelining.

Restoring what’s been cut. Bill 5 threatens Indigenous stewardship on the ground.

A Setback for Sustainable Forestry

Wahkohtowin supports a community-based approach to forestry in the New Missinaibi Forest. That includes Indigenous knowledge, ecological care, and long-term planning.

Bill 5 introduces real risks to this work:

• Fast-tracked harvesting without proper oversight

• Disregard for values-based forest planning

• Less room for Indigenous-led decision-making

  
  

The progress we’ve made toward sustainable forestry could be swept aside in favour of high-speed, high-impact development.

Herbicide-Free Forestry at Risk

Through the Herbicide Alternatives Program, Wahkohtowin is piloting a better way to regenerate forests—without relying on glyphosate and other harmful chemicals. We’re testing manual tending, mechanical options, and Indigenous techniques rooted in respect for the land.

But when environmental safeguards are removed, cost-cutting often wins. Bill 5 could lead to a return to widespread chemical spraying, especially in areas where protections are lifted.

That’s not just a policy concern—it’s a direct health and safety issue for communities, harvesters, and future generations.

Bioeconomy Innovation Pushed Aside

Our Bioeconomy & Forest Innovation Program focuses on building a forest-based economy that supports Indigenous communities. That means:

• Local processing

• Value-added products

• Small-scale, sustainable enterprises

  
  

Bill 5 shifts the focus to large-scale industrial development. It favours outside investors over Indigenous entrepreneurs, and it leaves little room for local innovation. The risk? Communities are pushed out of their own economies once again.

Carbon Projects Undermined

Wahkohtowin’s Carbon Management Program is designed to support Nations in developing carbon offset projects that protect forests, reduce emissions, and generate long-term benefits for stewardship.

But carbon projects rely on stable, protected land bases and clear governance. If Bill 5 allows development in areas planned for carbon protection, those projects may become ineligible—or unviable. It also introduces legal uncertainty that makes it harder to attract partners and funders.

We’re trying to build long-term climate solutions. Bill 5 prioritizes short-term emissions.

A Step in the Wrong Direction

Together, these impacts tell a clear story. Bill 5 doesn’t just tweak planning laws or speed up permits. It threatens Indigenous governance, environmental protections, and the future of sustainable land-based economies.

It goes against the values Wahkohtowin is built on:

• Land stewardship

• Relationship and responsibility

• Indigenous innovation and long-term thinking

  
  

Our Message to Ontario

We urge the Government of Ontario to withdraw Bill 5 and commit to working with Indigenous Nations to create a more just, sustainable path forward.

This includes:

• Respecting Indigenous jurisdiction

• Protecting land and biodiversity

• Supporting the Indigenous-led programs that are already working

  
  

What You Can Do

• Share this article

• Support Indigenous conservation and climate action

  
  

This may be the end of our blog series on Bill 5, but it’s not the end of the story. We will continue to protect the land, support our Nations, and speak out when policy threatens our future.

We’ll also continue to keep our communities, partners, and supporters updated—not only on how Bill 5 develops, but on what it means for Wahkohtowin’s work, our member Nations, and the lands we all rely on.

This is our responsibility. This is our work. This is our stand.

Written by: Sara Bilodeau