Yesterday, the Ontario government passed Bill 5, or the ‘Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy’ Act. This Bill creates ‘special economic zones’ where certain provincial and municipal laws and regulations, ranging from municipal approvals to environmental rules to labour law, will be suspended. The province plans to use this Bill to speed up economic projects like the building of mines. In reality, this Bill will strip away environmental protections, harm vulnerable plant and animal species, advance resource extraction on Indigenous lands, and continue the criminalization of Indigenous land defenders.
Threats to the environment are not just detrimental to the physical health of youth but also their mental health. Climate change jeopardizes youth futures, leading to significant consequences for youth mental health, such as anxiety and depression. YouthLine will continue to offer support to youth who are feeling worried about the impacts of Bill 5 over our helpline.
This Bill is also undoubtedly an attack on Indigenous sovereignty. It was pushed through with no meaningful engagement with the Indigenous communities who will be disproportionately impacted by this legislation. As just one example, Grassy Narrows (Asubpeeschoseewagong) First Nation has experienced decades of mercury poisoning, which especially harms youth, as a result of contaminated water and air from industrial manufacturing. The passage of Bill 5 means that this could be repeated across the province.
Over the past week, large crowds have gathered at Queen’s Park in Toronto to protest Bill 5, including youth and Indigenous activists from Grassy Narrows First Nation, who have come from near and far to voice their opposition to the Bill and their commitment to continue fighting. YouthLine honours and supports the important efforts of Indigenous community members and allies who continue to work tirelessly to challenge settler colonial exploitation of Indigenous lands
We call on the provincial government to immediately overturn Bill 5, to commit resources to addressing climate change, and to honour Indigenous rights and sovereignty. We also encourage our community members to contact your MPP to find out what they will do in response to this devastating vote.
