GUELPH – “Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by unleashing Our Economy Act, will do everything but protect Ontario,” say the organizers of an upcoming rally against the bill.
They call it “a direct attack on healthy communities, planning, clean water and air, putting species at risk, and erasing the rights of Indigenous people in Ontario,” and say it will “benefit a small group of hand-picked friends of the Premier, Doug Ford.”
The Stop Bill 5 rally is set to take place in Guelph on May 24 from 1:30 to 2:30 at the covered bridge (on the York Street side), with parking available in the Boathouse parking lot at 116 Gordon Street near the corner of Wellington Street.
Everyone is welcome to bring placards, sharing their message to the Ford government about Bill 5.
Speakers including Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner, Mike Marcolongo from Environmental Defence, and Evan Ferrari from Emerge Guelph, among others, will talk about the potential local and province-wide impact of Bill 5.
Afterwards, there will be a short march to City Hall and back. People are invited to bring their message to Ford on a placard.
According to the event organizers, the bill’s schedule 10, Repealing the Endangered Species Act will end meaningful protection for both habitat and wildlife in Ontario.
“Schedule 9 outlines special economic zones, and once declared, the Premier could invite ‘trusted proponents’ to undertake projects without regard to municipal planning, Ontario laws, or Indigenous land rights,” activists state,
“Schedule 7 of the Bill exempts developers from archaeological assessments, which will have a devastating effect on Indigenous burial grounds, and land rights,” they continue.
Rally participants will be encouraged to call Doug Ford 416-325-1941 to comment on the government’s proposed Bill 5, before it passes. For more information about the Guelph Rally contact Anne Moore at 519-710-8627 or amoore083@gmail.com.
