Bill 5, the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, passed into law in early June.
Premier Doug Ford’s government has made it clear it plans to use the sweeping new powers to develop the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region in Treaty 9 territory in the north.
Bill 5 grants the province power to create special economic zones where laws can be amended or exempted for specific projects. That could include tossing out the duty to consult with First Nations, which would be an abdication of treaty obligations.
The bill also replaces the 2007 Endangered Species Act with weaker laws.
The June 4 vote was immediately followed by a rally, and then two Indigenous community members set up a protest camp on the north side of Queen’s Park. Initially planning only an overnight stay, the camp grew as supporters arrived. By morning, a collective decision was made to hold the space indefinitely. Elders and fire keepers established a sacred fire at the camp, maintained 24 hours a day.
Eve Saint, a Wet’suwet’en land defender and financial divestment campaigner for Gidimt’en Checkpoint, was one of the original two. “We had to think fast because the bill passed quicker than we thought it would,” Saint explained.
“Other folks wanted to stay, so if I’m like if people are staying, then I’m going to stay too,” she said, adding that she was surprised by the outpouring of support. “It’s like a fire being lit for the first time and this is ground zero where a lot of talks will take place regarding Bill 5.”
Chief Gary Quisses of Neskantaga First Nation, in the Ring of Fire, previously said his nation opposes the bill and “will fight the bulldozers that the Ford government wants to fast-track,” adding, “Our people will meet you on the land. These are our homelands and our consent has not been provided to cross the river system of our homelands.”
This article appeared in the 2025 Summer issue.
