Ontario passes Bill 5 despite opposition from First Nations, environmental groups

Ontario passes Bill 5 despite opposition from First Nations, environmental groups

Bill 5, passed by Doug Ford's government, would create 'special economic zones' that give the government power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government has passed its contentious legislation known as Bill 5, which gives the province sweeping powers to speed up mining or other development projects but has faced widespread backlash from First Nations and environmentalists.

The bill, which would create “special economic zones” that give the government power to suspend any provincial or municipal bylaw for chosen projects, has been sharply criticized by Indigenous groups who accuse the government of trampling on their treaty rights and failing to