With the passing of Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, the Premier and his government altered the law as we know it. Now, they have sweeping powers—to exempt any person or business from any law for any purpose. 

This power grab paves the way for the government to fast-track projects that benefit wealthy developers and donors—as they’ve done before. It spells disaster for the environment, overrides Indigenous rights and jeopardizes the health of our communities. 

One of the first communities to be impacted by Bill 5 is Dresden, in Chatham-Kent. Residents of Dresden continue to fight the development of a dump that threatens to leach toxins into the Sydenham River. Thanks to Bill 5, the dump is now set to go ahead without a thorough environmental assessment, and without their input.

What happens in Dresden could happen anywhere. Resisting at the local level—and raising our voices province-wide—is our best chance to stand up for our rights all across Ontario.

Sign-on to let the Premier, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and your MPP know that environmental protections are not red-tape! Urge them to repeal Bill 5 and re-designate the Dresden Dump for a full EA.

Your letter will be sent to The Hon. Premier Doug Ford, Hon. Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, cc your MPP.