Legal Analysis and Implications of Bill 5 “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025”

Public comments on Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 (Bill 5) are being accepted through the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) until May 17. We invite you to read our legal brief and learn about the far-reaching implications of this Bill. This briefing builds on our press release issued April 22, 2025.

To assist you in preparing comments, here is the full list of ERO postings related to Bill 5 that are open for comment:

• Addressing Changes to the Eagle’s Nest Mine Project – ERO No. 025-0396
• Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 – ERO No. 025-0416
• Proposed Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act, Schedule 7 of the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 – ERO No. 025-0418
• Proposed interim changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and a proposal for the Species Conservation Act, 2025 – ERO No. 025-0380
• Proposed amendments to the Mining Act 1990, Electricity Act 1998, and Ontario Energy Board Act 1998, to protect Ontario’s Economy and Build a More Prosperous Ontario – ERO No. 025-0409
• Removing Environmental Assessment Requirements for the York1 Waste Disposal Site Project – ERO No. 025-0389
• Special Economic Zones Act, 2025- ERO No. 025-0391
• Read our letter to the Ministers, requesting that the public comment periods for the Bill 5 related proposals on the Environmental Registry be extended, to uphold environmental rights.

You have a right to have a say and we are here to support you in understanding your rights and Bill 5’s legal implications.