Protesters demonstrate opposition to Bill 5
What started as a simple Facebook post turned into a weeklong protest outside the Stayner constituency office of MPP Brian Saunderson.
Taylor Larking, of Collingwood, missed the initial protest, but then proposed the idea of a constant presence outside the office from people opposed to the Ontario government’s proposed Bill 5. At various times there were upwards of 20 people protesting outside Saunderson’s constituency office, who were also collecting signatures on a petition opposing the Bill.
Larking, a graduate of environmental studies at University of Waterloo, said the Bill is nothing short of terrifying.
“This Bill is paving the way for unregulated, unprecedented power for the government to do whatever, wherever they want,” she said.
Under the guise of cutting through red tape to spur development, Larking said the Bill will strip away important protections for endangered species and their habitats.
“Animals and the environment are not red tape to be trampled on,” she said.
Bill 5 has been shuffled through the approval process very quickly, said Larking.
The legislation was tabled immediately before the Easter Weekend, and is now midway through the public hearing phase. A final vote in the legislature is expected June 6.
The proposed legislation would repeal the current Endangered Species
Act and allow for creation of Special Economic Zones. While the Bill does reference creation of a Species Conservation Act, she said the new regulation would be toothless.
“The proposed regulation would redefine the definition of habitat to include only the nest or dwelling place and immediate area,” said Larking. “We know that turtles, for example, live in wetlands and ponds but lay eggs on beaches. These species require a variety of habitat to survive.”
She said Premier Doug Ford has shown us time and time again that money is his number one priority.
“He tried to move ahead with plans to develop on the Greenbelt and we stopped him, but for the lush Ontario Place it was too late; 850 trees and the homes of diverse wildlife are now gone,” said Larking. “If an urban forest that was beloved and utilized by many is not safe from the greed of Doug Ford, it’s evident nowhere will be, including the Greenbelt.”
In a phone call with Saunderson last week, Larking said he graciously listened to her concerns.
She said she quoted a part of the Bill that gives the Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Job Creation authority to establish codes of practice, standards or guidelines for the protection and conservation of species listed on the Protected Species in Ontario List or their habitat.
Larking said, “I wish I could believe there would be consultation with other ministers, but in seeing where the Bill directly places the power to decide the fate of our endangered species, there is no requirement to consult with anyone else so this minister can make those calls. He is not trained in any scientific or ecological background that would enable him to serve the role of their guardian.”
She is hopeful she planted a seed of doubt in Saunderson’s mind about the Bill, adding protesters have no intention of giving up. They are still determining next steps, should the Bill pass.
