ELORA – Community members and activists gathered at MacDonald Square in Elora on Aug. 23 to voice their opposition to the province’s Bill 5, dubbed the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act.
“Bill 5 is a danger to our democracy. It’s a power grab,” said Elora resident Donna McCaw.
Participants met at MacDonald Square before embarking on a short march to Hoffer Park.
Guest speakers, including Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner, voiced their concerns with the bill.
“It is going to take a movement of people to stop this,” said Schreiner. “We can not allow this to happen. Our children deserve a better future.”
Bill 5 allows the provincial government to declare “special economic zones” anywhere in Ontario. These zones will be used for development and are not required to abide by municipal bylaws or to consult with Indigenous peoples.
These zones are also exempt from ecological studies.
Bill 5 also repeals the Endangered Species Act, a move critics say will see beloved animal species go extinct.
“They are giving the cookie jar to the developers who had their hands in the cookie jar [with] the Greenbelt,” said McCaw.
Critics of the bill have also expressed the need for more information, as many say there is still limited understanding of the bill.
“I don’t think the public, and certainly I can speak for myself, have a good understanding of all of the implications and how much we stand to lose,” said Erin resident Kelly Rodriguez.
To conclude the rally, participants wrote letters to Premier Doug Ford, signed petitions and some even volunteered to host information sessions in their home to educate neighbours, co-workers and family members on the bill.
Elora resident Donna McCaw holds a sign that compares Premier Doug Ford to U.S. President Donald Trump. Photo by Ellouise Thompson
