Stop Bill 5

Supporting Indigenous Voices in Court 

LAND is representing Indigenous grassroots and youth leaders in a court challenge to Bill 5. With financial support from Ontario Nature, we are seeking permission from the court for our clients to intervene so that they can share their unique perspectives on grassroot voices,
youth leadership and Indigenous Natural Law.

Will you join us?

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Overview

Ontario passed Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, into law in June 2025.  Its impacts extend to every corner of Ontario.

This omnibus bill amends many provincial laws – from mining to endangered species – and proposes “special economic zones” where the government can decide what laws will or won’t apply.

Despite sustained calls for its repeal by Indigenous leaders and civil society, Ontario continues to aggressively implement Bill 5. The new regulations and laws being ushered in under Bill 5 remain a significant threat to Indigenous sovereignty and the protection of nature.

Some Key Things to Know

  • Imposing 'Special Economic Zones':

    Bill 5 establishes a first-of-its-kind mechanism, allowing entire regions to be exempt from provincial laws and environmental safeguards if they are deemed “special economic zones" (SEZs). Ontario’s intention to designate the region where the Ring of Fire is proposed an SEZ risks irreversibly altering this culturally and globally significant place.

  • Threatening Indigenous cultural sovereignty:

    Bill 5 harms sacred sites and cultural sovereignty by exempting sites from archaeological assessment. This is in violation of Indigenous peoples’ right to maintain and protect manifestations of their culture, including archaeological and historical sites and artifacts.

  • Repealing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and replacing it with the weaker Species Conservation Act (SCA):

    Bill 5 replaces mandatory species protections with voluntary initiatives. This directly threatens the ability of any endangered species to recover and removes our ability to track their status, and prevent harm to their habitat.

  • Terminating the environmental assessment (EA) for the Eagle’s Nest Mine:

    Bill 5 terminated the EA for one of the largest mining projects proposed for the Ring of Fire, in a region of the Hudson-James Bay Lowlands that holds profound cultural and ecological significance. Moving ahead with this project without first completing an EA risks severe and irreparable consequences to public participation, Indigenous rights and nature’s protection.

  • Implementing Bill 5:

    Ontario is moving ahead with implementing Bill 5, despite widespread opposition from Indigenous Nations, the public, municipalities, environmental organizations and labour groups across the province. The government continues to advance the policies, amendments and regulations that further entrench the regressive legal reforms ushered in by Bill 5.

How We’re Helping

LAND is going to court to represent Indigenous grassroots land protectors.  Our clients, Indigenous youth and founder of Okiniwak, Ramon Kataquapit, and founder of the Friends of the Attawapiskat River, Michel Koostachin, are seeking status as interveners (i.e. ‘friends of the court’).

Ramon and Michel are from Attawapiskat First Nation and the impact to their rights and home is immeasurable and immediate, should the government continue to move ahead with Bill 5.

We are asking the court to grant us status to appear as interveners, so that we can argue Bill 5 is deeply problematic and unconstitutional because of its failure to advance reconciliation, protect Indigenous rights and respect Natural Law and the legal traditions of the Omushkego Cree.

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“Bill 5 is not just another law — it’s another step in the long history of assimilating First Nations. When a government gives itself the power to override environmental protections, hidden in that fine print is the power to override our Treaties. That means eroding our rights, our lands, and our very identity as Indigenous peoples. We’re going to court because Bill 5 threatens not only our Nations, but the rights of all Canadians and the environment we all depend on.”

Ramon Kataquapit

“When you damage the muskeg, the rivers, the animals - you disturb everything that's important to us, for life. Bill 5 will cause devastation to our lands and waters, and those impacts won’t stop with us — they will be carried by our children, our grandchildren. That’s why we’re standing up. We have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the land, not just for us, but for those yet to be born.”

Michel Koostachin

How to Get Involved

Tell Ontario to repeal Bill 5

Support Indigenous-led protection of Treaty 9 lands and waters

Read our legal resources to stay up to date on what Bill 5 means for you

Take Action

Send a Message! Tell Ontario to Repeal Bill 5

Bill 5 has disturbing implications for the protection of nature and effectively muzzles dissent and community voices. Please SEND a MESSAGE telling Ontario’s elected officials and your MPP to REPEAL BILL 5.
Take Action →
Paddlers Attawapiskat River 2023
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Support the Indigenous Grassroots of Treaty 9

Support the Indigenous grassroots of Treaty 9 as they speak up for the protection of lands and waters that, since time immemorial, have been sustained and relied upon by Indigenous peoples.
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Learn More

For informational purposes only

Your support makes this work possible.

This legal challenge come with a significant cost—but this is one we bear as a non-profit, and not our clients. We work ‘pro bono’ or for free, meaning every dollar you donate allows us to appear in court, prepare for the next challenge and respond when our clients call on us.

We can only do this work with the financial backing from our partners and community. Will you join us in standing with Indigenous land protectors to Stop Bill 5?

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