First Nations Vow ‘Idle No More’ as Ontario’s Controversial Bill 5 Passes Amidst Protests
New Law Threatens Environment, Treaty Rights as Ontario Fast-Tracks 'Special Economic Zones' Despite Opposition From First Nations
TORONTO, ON – Despite widespread opposition from First Nations communities and environmental advocates, Ontario’s controversial Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, passed its final reading in the provincial legislature on Wednesday, June 04, 2025. Its passing follows a rally earlier this week where First Nations leaders made their voices heard against the legislation, which many see as a direct attack on their treaty rights.
“This is a shameful day for our province,” said Marit Stiles. Leader of the Ontario NDP in a press release. “Doug Ford and his government have silenced communities, shut down debate, and pulled out all the stops to force through legislation that is nothing but a thinly veiled power grab.”
The legislation passed 71-44 on Wednesday afternoon.
In a direct response to warnings from First Nations of potential blockades and disruptions, Premier Doug Ford stated Wednesday that such actions would not be "very wise."
“You can’t break the law,” Ford told the Canadian Press. “Simple as that...They need to move on or they’ll be dealt with appropriately.”
The bill's passage came after the Ford government accelerated efforts to fast-track the legislation ahead of the summer break of the Ontario Legislature. The Bill is known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. It establishes “special economic zones” which will allow the government to exempt designated areas from municipal bylaws and provincial laws.
However, First Nations remain strongly opposed to Bill 5, even after the Ford Government added an amendment to the bill stating that regulations will be made in a manner consistent with the recognition of treaty rights. First Nations leaders argue that this amendment is insufficient, saying it does not go far enough to ensure their free, prior, and informed consent and respect their treaty rights, especially now that the bill has passed.
On Monday, June 02, 2025, during legislative proceedings related to the bill, NDP Indigenous MPP Sol Mamakwa was removed from the Ontario Legislature over his comments towards Premier Ford.
MPP Sol Mamakwa later addressed the crowd that day, saying: “This government can't say that they understand and respect treaty while they do the exact opposite of what First Nations, the rights holders, are asking, that is purely not honest.”
Further saying “That the reality is that this government is violating the treaties by pushing bill 5 through, and their treatment of rights holders”
On May 29, 2025, Priya Tandon, President of the Ontario Mining Association, an industry expected to benefit significantly from the bill's passing, told Sudbury.com “The mining industry is not asking to strip any environmental regulations or any need to consult Indigenous communities. It's really about just making the system work better, and have ministries co-ordinate and talk to each other more so that reduces some of the delays and the confusion in the system," said Tandon
With Bill 5 now awaiting Royal Assent, and First Nations maintaining their strong opposition despite the government's amendment, it remains unclear what specific actions will follow, particularly given the First Nations' vow of 'idle no more.'"
In a press release issued May 27, 2025, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige stated “The Government of Ontario does not have the authority to interfere with Treaties that gave rise to the Constitution of this country called Canada, and it certainly does not have the authority to interfere with our inherent rights,” states Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige.
“Yet, that is precisely what Bill 5 in its current form is doing, and simply put, we will not stand for it. But what we will stand for is our inherent and Treaty rights; and so, we caution the provincial government that should Bill 5 proceed in its current form, we will be idle no more.”