Let’s stop the Bill 5 Power Grab!

Aerial shot of farmland and a river, text reading 'YTP Week'

Let’s stop the Bill 5 Power Grab!

Just before the Easter weekend, Premier Doug Ford introduced Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing the Economy Act. This legislation would let anyone the cabinet chooses evade provincial and municipal laws. It will also repeal the Endangered Species Act, and empower the premier to kneecap wind and solar development, keeping Ontario dependent on U.S. fracked gas.

Read Environmental Defence’s statement by Phil Pothen and Alienor Rougeot

Stop this unprecedented and deeply undemocratic rollback of the rule of law and send a letter to your MPP and Premier Ford today!

Take Action

Stop the Bill 5 Power Grab Webinar Banner

Bill 5 Webinar on May 7th

Bill 5 is a complex and sprawling omnibus bill filled with different flavors of awful. It has implications for endangered species and clean energy, but also for the rule of law Indigenous rights. We’re doing a one hour webinar on May 7th at 7p.m to break it down and answer all your questions. Speakers and details will be announced soon, but you can save your spot now.

Come walk with us! We’re having a Janes Walk in Toronto

Environmental Defence’s very own Phil Pothen will be hosting a Janes Walk this weekend about Mid-Rise housing as a viable solution to the Housing Shortage in Ontario.

When: May 3rd 2025 from 4:30p.m - 6 p.m

Where: Lillian H Smith Park, 239 College St, Toronto

Visit the Janes Walk Website

Premier Ford is expanding “Strong Mayor” Powers to 169 Small Towns

Ontario’s government is proposing a new law that would give mayors in 169 small towns “Strong Mayor” powers. What does this mean? With these new powers, small town mayors could be granted authority to override elected councils to approve sprawl developments and veto infill or non-market housing developments that those elected councils have approved. This undemocratic law could lead to widespread corruption, continued housing shortages and the destruction of the province's remaining farmland.

Read Phil Pothen’s Blog about what it means for these towns to have “Strong Mayor” Powers.

More Integrity Commissioner findings around the Greenbelt Scandal

The Integrity Commissioner of Ontario has banned John Mutton, former Mayor of Clarington, from lobbying for two years. According to the commissioner's findings, between 2021 and 2023, the former mayor repeatedly failed to register after lobbying to get clients’ land removed from the Greenbelt or be subject to a Minister’s Zoning Order, which overrides municipal decisions and accelerates development.