Hundreds march through Guelph in protest of Bill 5

May 28, 2025 @ 12:28 pmNews

A grassroots protest was held in Guelph on May 24 in opposition to Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. Photo by Robin George
Devon and Reagan Maximenko were among the protestors, Devon holding a sign that reads “Keep nature alive, no to Bill 5” and Reagan holding a beaver puppet with its own stop Bill 5 sign. Photo by Robin George
Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner spoke vehemently against Bill 5, calling it “the most unprecedented and extraordinary power grab the government has ever exercised in this province.” He compared it to legislation in Russia, China and Saudi Arabia and said its a “frontal assault” on Indigenous rights, environmental protections and labour laws. “We’re not going to take it in Ontario,” he said. “The premier says we have to do this to fight Trump – but you can’t fight Trump if you act like Trump. Trump only wishes he had the power this bill brings Ford.” Schreiner said the only thing that will stop Bill 5 is “people power.” He said worker health and safety laws, environmental protections, and democracy are not red tape to be removed.
Sarah Christie from Climate Action Guelph was among the speakers at the rally and encouraged attendees to call and email Premier Doug Ford’s office to express their opposition to Bill 5. Photo by Robin George
Margaret Stewart, left, called Bill 5 “a travesty against democracy,” and said she attended the protest, along with Ken Richardson, right, because “people have to say ‘stop – you can’t do this.’” Photo by Robin George
Koen Tholhuijsen said he’s against Bill 5 because “we’ve only got one Earth, one planet, and the way we are going right now it’s not going to last very long. We should take good care of it.” Photo by Robin George
Howard Hall, left and Anne-Marie Zajdlik were among the protestors. Zajdlik said “climate issues are health issues,” and people and the planet need to be put before profits. Photo by Robin George
Organizers drew comparisons between Bill 5 and Doug Ford's Greenbelt controversy, saying that just as people rose up to protect the green belt, people standing up will also stop Bill 5. Photo by Robin George
Many protestors carried signs about protecting endangered species. Photo by Robin George
Some signs and discussions during the protest claimed that Bill 5 prioritizes wealthy people making more money over the health of the planet. Photos by Robin George
Some protestors call Bill 5 anti-democratic as it reduces transparency and public oversight and provides exemptions from provincial laws and regulations. Photo by Robin George
The rally had a light hearted tone at times, with some comical signs and an optimistic energy about the power of people publicly standing against the bill. Photo by Robin George
Protestors of all ages participated in chants while they marched through Guelph. Photo by Robin George
This dog dressed as a bee was among the attendees. Photo by Robin George
Protestors marched from the Covered Bridge to Guelph City Hall on May 24. Photo by Robin George
Bill 5 is meant to fast-track major energy, infrastructure, mining and landfill projects but opponents say it reduces transparency and public oversight, provides exemptions from provincial laws and regulations and archeological assessments, and reverses Ontario’s Endangered Species Act and replaces it with a new Species Conservation Act with reduced protections. Photo by Robin George
According to organizers of the May 24 rally, “Bill 5 threatens local decision-making, environmental protections, and Indigenous land rights ... If passed, this bill could change the landscape of Guelph and beyond without public consultation or accountability.” Photo by Robin George
Protestors gathered at Guelph City Hall in the middle of the rally on May 24. Photo by Robin George
Anne Moore, right, was among those who organized the protest. Moore's sign is pointing to the fact that many Indigenous groups have expressed opposition to Bill 5, which they say reduces important Indigenous consultation. Photo by Robin George
The protest was supported by Wellington Water Watchers, Seniors for Climate Action Now, Guelph Indigenous Community Council, OPIRG Guelph, eMERGE Guelph, Nature Guelph, the Dublin Street United Church and the Guelph Climate Action network. Photo by Robin George
Hundreds of people attended the Guelph rally against Bill 5 on May 24, while similar protests were held across Ontario. Photo by Robin George
Another organizer danced energetically, working hard to get the crowd amped up. She is holding signs with links to a petition for attendees to sign to express their opposition to Bill 5. Photo by Robin George
Some protestors danced during the stop at Guelph City Hall in the middle of the march on May 24. Photo by Robin George
Protestors took part in a quick dance party at city hall, to The Parachute Club’s Rise Up. Photo by Robin George
People danced at Guelph City Hall during a rally against Bill 5 on May 24. Photo by Robin George
A few protestors carried signs quoting Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi: "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone – They paved paradise to put up a parking lot." Photos by Robin George

GUELPH – A grassroots protest was held in Guelph on May 24 in opposition to Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act.

The bill is meant to fast-track major energy, infrastructure, mining and landfill projects but opponents say it reduces transparency and public oversight, provides exemptions from provincial laws and regulations and archeological assessments, and reverses Ontario’s Endangered Species Act and replaces it with a new Species Conservation Act with reduced protections.

Hundreds of people attended the Guelph rally, while similar protests were held across Ontario.

In Guelph, the event was supported by Wellington Water Watchers, Seniors for Climate Action Now, Guelph Indigenous Community Council, OPIRG Guelph, eMERGE Guelph, Nature Guelph, the Dublin Street United Church and the Guelph Climate Action network.

According to organizers, “Bill 5 threatens local decision-making, environmental protections, and Indigenous land rights … If passed, this bill could change the landscape of Guelph and beyond  without public consultation or accountability.”

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