Protests were held at Queen’s Park and accross northern Ontario on Monday opposing Bill 5. In Sudbury, dozens attended a rally outside MPP Jamie West’s office, organized by Citizens’ Climate Lobby Greater Sudbury in conjunction with Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury. “This bill is allegedly supposed to protect us, but it is going to override many protections that people have fought hard over the years to have legislated to make sure that development occurs in a way that is good for the planet and good for the people,” said Cathy Orlando, national director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Signs were placed outside West’s office, followed by speeches. West was unable to attend the demonstration, but his staff circulated a petition opposing Bill 5 for attendees to sign. The bill, meant to speed up mining projects, has drawn criticism from Indigenous groups and environmental advocates. “We experienced this years ago with our forestry, they had the SSL licensing, and to me, it’s the same concept where the government wants to take our land as priorities for their goals without consulting the people that need to be consulted,” said Vivian Naponse from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation. “We’ve done a lot of consultation, documents with various levels of government and it seems to go unheard. So, it’s sad that we have to do these protests to make our voices heard.” Health advocates also concerned Health-care professionals were also in attendance. Dr. Elaine Blacklock, a pediatrician who has lived in northern Ontario since 2002, said she has concerns about the bill from a health-care perspective. “If we go backwards in terms of air pollution and other kinds of pollution, if we do more damage – even more damage to our biodiversity – that’s going to be really bad for human health going forward,” she said. “Canada still isn’t meeting the World Health Organization’s targets for air pollution levels. If we start saying that our provincial government can just push a button and suddenly all of those environmental regulations that have helped to improve our air quality don’t mean anything anymore in whatever region they choose, then we’re going to go backwards.” Dr. Richard Denton, a family physician and former mayor of Kirkland Lake, said he believes mining can be done in an environmentally friendly way, pointing to advancements in technology. “Bill 5 is going to make it more difficult to look after the health of my patients in terms of affecting the Endangered Species Act. It’s going against that. It is not helping Indigenous people,” he said. “As a former mayor of Kirkland Lake, I’m all in favour of mining. Companies like Epiroc, etc., are now bringing in electric coal mining. I think that government can regulate mines to be much more environmentally sustainable.” Ontario Minister of Economic Development responds In an interview Friday, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said he supports Bill 5. “Bill 5 is all about making development happen quicker in Ontario,” he said. “We’re in an economic war with the United States. We have something they need – minerals. But it takes 15 years right now to open a mine. It shouldn’t take more than two. And so that’s our goal.” Fedeli said if the bill is passed, there will be consultations with Indigenous groups. “All of the Indigenous rights are protected. The duty to consult has never been altered,” he said. “It is what we intend to do. We’ve just put in the budget a $3-billion First Nation fund so they can be part of the growth, part of – they can have ownership in the projects that we’re going ahead with.” A rally was also held outside Fedeli’s office on Monday.
