Ontario fast-tracks controversial mining law

The Canadian province of Ontario has passed a sweeping and contentious new mining law aimed at accelerating major development projects, despite sharp criticism from Indigenous leaders, environmental advocates and opposition parties.

Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, gives Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government broad powers to create “special economic zones.” Within these areas, selected projects and proponents can be exempted from provincial laws, regulations and local bylaws. While federal legislation still applies, critics argue the bill guts provincial safeguards without sufficient public debate.

The legislation also includes a provision to replace Ontario’s Endangered Species Act with a new Species Conservation Act, at a future date determined by cabinet. Environmental groups warn the change will erode protections for threatened wildlife.

Opposition parties and civil society organizations have condemned the bill as rushed and undemocratic. They argue it undermines environmental regulations, weakens labour standards, threatens treaty rights, and is likely to trigger a wave of legal challenges that could stall the very developments the law is meant to accelerate.

First Nations leaders have been especially vocal. “Our diplomacy ends today … we need to look at every option at our disposal,” Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation said during a protest outside Queen’s Park.

In response to mounting backlash, Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford and Mining Minister Stephen Lecce pledged last month to amend the bill to explicitly require consultation with Indigenous communities. That modification, however, was ultimately excluded, with Ford’s government blaming Liberal committee tactics for its failure to pass.

To soften opposition, the Ford government has promised C$3 billion (about $2.2bn) to help Indigenous communities become equity partners in mining ventures, along with C$70 million ($51m) for training and C$10 million ($7.3m) for scholarships.

The province also recently pledged to defer taxes on mining businesses by six months to help the sector weather the potential impact of a US-led tariff war.

Ontario accounts for nearly a quarter of Canada’s total mineral production value. In 2023, the province’s mining sector generated C$15.7 billion ($11.5bn), led by gold at C$6.5 billion ($4.8bn) and nickel at C$2.5 billion ($1.8bn).