Whereas the Ontario government has fast-tracked Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 (Bill 5), such that it was referred to the Standing Committee on the Interior on May 6, 2025, after being first read on April 17, 2025, and
Whereas the written submission deadline for participation on Bill 5 is May 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM (EDT), and
Whereas Bill 5 would enact the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025; amend/repeal the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and replace it by enacting the Species Conservation Act, 2025; and amend various Acts including the Ontario Heritage Act, the Mining Act, the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, and the Electricity Act, 1998 and to revoke various regulations in relation to development and procurement, and
Whereas Bill 5 will allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to create zones anywhere in Ontario where municipal and provincial laws will not apply, and where projects or proponents can be exempted from requirements under provisions of an Act or of a regulation, including environmental and heritage laws, and
Whereas the provisions of Bill 5 as written include anti-democratic principles and risks undermining civil liberties, Indigenous rights, the environment and local government oversight, and
Whereas the Municipality of Kincardine believes that the provincial priorities of housing, resource development and economic development can be achieved without subverting existing laws, undermining municipal authority, threatening the environment, restricting industry growth, or undermining informed consent with Indigenous communities; now therefore be it
Resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Kincardine hereby opposes Bill 5; and
That Council formally express its opposition to Bill 5 in favour of preserving democracy, transparency, accountability, the environment, civil liberties, and Indigenous rights; and
That Council encourage the province to prioritize democratic principles and governance systems that support responsible development, environmental preservation, and acknowledge our responsibility to future generations; and
That Council formally request that the Ontario government reject Bill 5; and
That a copy of this motion be forwarded to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines; MPP Lisa Thompson; all Ontario municipalities; the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; and the Standing Committee on the Interior.
Carried.