Ford Government passes Bill 46: forest protections cut, alcohol allowed in Ontario Parks
Bill pairs new provincial park drinking rules with Crown Forest Sustainability Act changes, allowing forest removal without standard oversight.
The Ford Government passed an omnibus bill, the Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act, 2025 (Bill 46), on Dec. 11, in a vote of 88 in favour to 12 against, allowing forest resources to be removed for non-forestry uses without standard permitting, while also permitting alcohol in designated areas of provincial parks.
Bill 46 amended the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA), which now permits the removal of forest resources for non-forestry purposes, such as mining, roads, and utility corridors, through what the Ford Government describes as a streamlined regulatory process. Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Ontario Green Party, said the alcohol policy was intended to bury the environmental change.
“The Ford government is once again using alcohol to distract from truly harmful legislation.” Adding that “Bill 46 is yet another omnibus bill that this government is forcing through the Legislature as quickly as possible, while bypassing debate and public consultation,” Schreiner said.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) did not respond by the time of publication. Should the ministry respond, the Field & Shutter Press will update the article.
According to the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994, its purpose is “to manage Crown forests to meet social, economic and environmental needs of present and future generations.”
The Ontario Regional Director of Unifor, Samia Hashi, explained in a Nov. 28 letter to the Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, “Bill 46 would amend the CFSA to allow the removal of forest resources (e.g., trees) for non-forestry purposes (e.g., roads, mining, utility corridors) under a streamlined regulatory process.”
The bill also includes unrelated changes to alcohol consumption rules in provincial parks, which will allow park superintendents, who oversee park management and operations, to designate specific areas for alcohol consumption.
The public areas must be identified by “a sign posted in the park that sets out the public area and states that liquor may be consumed in a socially responsible manner while in it,” according to the legislation. An FAQ answer on the Ontario Parks website currently states, “alcohol is permitted within provincial parks and must remain on your designated campsite.”
Mike Marcolongo, Associate Director at Environmental Defence, said when he first learned of the proposal, “So you start with the designating [of] public areas, is the next step to privatize those public areas into bars and clubs?” adding, “Where are we going with this is my question.”
When Bill 46 was first announced, the Ford Government explained that the change for alcohol was to support tourism and “would improve visitor experiences in parks by expanding opportunities for socially responsible consumption of alcohol,” according to a press release.
Within Ontario’s Provincial Parks, alcohol enforcement is handled through a joint effort by Park Wardens and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Park Wardens have the authority of a Provincial Police Constable within a Provincial Park.
“The OPP does respond to calls for service in provincial parks and supports park wardens and staff when police response is warranted,” said Gosia Puzio, an OPP spokesperson.
However, the Ford Government press release makes no mention of changes to the CFSA and instead references other changes, such as allowing alcohol in parks.
During the third reading of the bill on Dec. 10 in the Ontario Legislature, the Hon. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape, spoke about Bill 46, saying, “Whether it’s our manufacturing sector, our forestry sector, whether it’s our health care, every step of the way. The Premier has been there to make those investments and back those individuals who work in those industries.”
“Bill 46 is bad for the environment and bad for democracy,” said MPP Mike Schreiner
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