Public divided on Bill 5 but say Indigenous rights are more important than speed: poll [Video]

Public sentiment is divided on the Ford government’s controversial new mining law, according to fresh polling, which indicates people are in favour of speeding up projects but not at the expense of First Nation rights or labour laws.

New polling from Liason Strategies for the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada gauged the mood of Ontarians as the government passed Bill 5 into law.

The legislation makes a number of changes, among them is the power for the government to create so-called special economic zones, where municipal, environmental or labour laws could be bypassed.

The government has indicated the Ring of Fire will be one such area, potentially along with Highway 401 and Ontario’s fleet of nuclear power stations.

The law’s passage at Queen’s Park last week sparked a storm of protests and backlash from First Nations leaders, who fear it will infringe on their rights and labour unions, who worry about workers’ rights.