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Hamilton Spectator

‘Death sentence for species at risk': Critics cry foul over Ford government's omnibus Bill 5

Local critics say the province is taking advantage of resident fears over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats to 'gut' endangered species protections in the name of spurring development. Last month, Premier Doug Ford's government introduced Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, citing tariff attacks on the provincial economy. The government argues the bill would cut red tape, speed up critical natural resources development and help protect jobs. 'The days of making proponents wait years for approvals and permits are over,' said Environment Minister Todd McCarthy in a statement supporting the bill when it was introduced. 'We can and will build the Ontario of tomorrow in a way that protects the environment and protects jobs.' Students at Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School have created posters about the potential environmental implications of Ontario's proposed Bill 5. But environmental, Indigenous and even civil liberties groups have raised the alarm about a raft of provisions in the bill, including a proposal to designate ' special economic zones ' where fast-tracked major developments can be effectively exempted from provincial legislation or municipal control. Another big change: the proposed replacement of Ontario's Endangered Species Act with legislation that allows developers to damage or destroy habitat without first seeking permits; changes which habitat qualifies for legal protection; and ends the requirement for provincial 'recovery' plans for endangered birds, fish and animals. 'This will gut endangered species law. It really is a death sentence for species at risk,' said Katie Krelove, a Hamilton resident and the Ontario campaigner for the national Wilderness Committee group. 'It is really very frustrating, because none of this will do anything to help fight or protect against tariffs.' Students at Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School have created posters about the potential environmental implications of Ontario's proposed Bill 5. Krelove's group is organizing a Rally for Species at Queen's Park on May 28 — but they're also urging residents to speak up before the Saturday deadline to comment on the bill through the provincial Environmental Registry website . The issue has even filtered into local classrooms, with students at Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School creating posters about the bill that are being displayed in their neighbourhood. The Hamilton Naturalists Club is planning to comment on the 'concerning' bill, said member Jen Baker, who noted the organization has worked hard with local groups and the city on a new biodiversity strategy meant to stop species loss — only to see that work potentially undermined by the province. In general, Baker said she finds it 'offensive' to watch the government use worries about tariff-driven job losses to justify cutting environmental protections. Krelove agreed, adding there is a painful irony to Ontario's proposal given the Trump administration has also started rolling back endangered species protections . 'We can't fight Donald Trump's policies by emulating him,' she said. 'But that is what (the province) is proposing to do.' By email, environment ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler stressed the province's plan to replace current endangered species legislation with a new Species Conservation Act 'does not circumvent environmental standards,' adding the government has committed to spend millions of dollars more each year on specific species conservation efforts. 'With President Trump's tariffs and tariff threats, it is not business as usual — we cannot afford to have old processes getting in the way,' he said. It's too soon to predict exactly how the new legislation will affect Hamilton area developments or species at risk. But Ontario's current endangered species law was recently cited by Krelove as a reason for council to reject an Ancaster development proposal that would have axed hundreds of trees . Watering down provincial protections for endangered species and habitat 'would remove an important tool' for the city in efforts to protect local biodiversity, said Ancaster Coun. Craig Cassar, who noted city staff will report back on possible implications later this year.