Why southwestern Ontario’s conservationists worry Bill 5 could erase history and wildlife [Video]

Conservationists and archaeologists in Southwestern Ontario are worried that legislation designed to speed up infrastructure development and resource extraction in the province could cause irreparable damage to existing ecosystems and the loss of Indigenous and historical artifacts.

Bill 5, also named the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, was introduced by the Ontario government last month.

If enacted, it would grant the province the ability to create special economic zones where businesses or projects could operate under significantly reduced environmental protections or municipal oversight.

“Development is important for our province but I don’t think we should be sacrificing things like archaeological sites, our heritage or our rare species,” said Scarlett Janusas, past-president of the Ontario Marine Heritage Commission.

“These are elements that have no voice of their own, so we as citizens of Ontario need to speak out for them and for their protection.”