CPHA and OPHA raise alarms over Ontario’s Bill 5

The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) and the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) express profound concern over Ontario’s proposed Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. This sweeping omnibus legislation poses significant risks to public health, environmental protection, and Indigenous rights across the province.

Key Public Health Concerns

1. Erosion of Environmental Protections
   Bill 5 proposes to repeal Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, replacing it with a weaker framework that diminishes habitat protections and transfers decision-making authority from scientific experts to political officials. Such changes threaten biodiversity and the ecological systems that support human health.
2. Creation of ‘Special Economic Zones’
   The legislation would allow the government to designate areas where provincial and municipal laws, including those related to environmental assessments, public health, and safety, can be suspended. This could lead to unchecked industrial and other development activities without adequate oversight, increasing the risk of pollution and associated health hazards.
3. Violation of Indigenous Rights and Treaty Responsibilities
   Bill 5 enables the provincial government to bypass consultation and accommodation processes with Indigenous communities—contravening not only the duty to consult but also Canada’s Treaty obligations. The First Nations impacted by these legislative changes are not merely stakeholders; they are rights holders whose inherent and Treaty-protected rights must be upheld. Ignoring these responsibilities threatens Indigenous health, self-determination, and the integrity of Nation-to-Nation relationships.
4. Threats to Public Health Infrastructure
   By allowing exemptions from health and safety regulations, the bill could compromise the systems designed to protect Ontarians from environmental health risks such as water contamination, air pollution, and climate-related health hazards, leading to increased incidence of disease, long-term health issues, and premature death.

CPHA calls on the Ontario government to withdraw or substantially amend Bill 5 to protect public health and uphold environmental, and Treaty obligations. We support the pursuit of economic development that is balanced, equitable, and sustainable—development that respects environmental limits, and honours the rights and leadership of Indigenous Peoples.

Public health must be considered foundational to all economic decisions. Meaningful consultation, transparent governance, and science-based policy are essential to ensure the long-term well-being of all Ontarians.