Georgetown Takes a Stand: Local Voices Rise Against Controversial Bill 5
Halton Hills Community Sounds Alarm Over Environmental Protection and Indigenous Rights Amidst New Provincial Legislation.
HALTON HILLS, ON — Over 100 people gathered in Dominion Gardens Park in Halton Hills on Saturday, June 7, 2025, to rally against the Ontario Government's controversial Bills 5, 6, and 17, citing concerns over weakened environmental protections and impacts on Indigenous rights.
Numerous signs highlighting concerns for endangered species and environmental protections could be seen, along with chants of “Bill 5 has got to go,” as rally attendees lined the side of Guelph Street.
Jeannine d'Entremont, organizer of the rally and a representative of Halton Hills Climate Action, underscored the environmental stakes. "When it comes to the environment, it takes time to know what endangered species are there, they have to do studies, it's not something you can rush,” d'Entremont stated. "Once you pave over the habitat of an endangered species, it's gone forever, you can't get it back."
She added, "I really believe it's misguided to think that you can just ram through development projects without giving due consideration to the environment and the environmental impacts.”
Bill 5, officially known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, was recently fast-tracked and passed by the Ontario Government, ahead of the summer break of the Ontario Legislature. The bill, among other things, grants the provincial government sweeping powers to create "special economic zones" where projects can be exempted from provincial laws, including environmental regulations.
The Georgetown demonstration follows a series of protests organized across the province in recent weeks, as environmental advocacy groups and First Nations communities continue to voice strong criticism of the new legislation.
Green Party Leader, MPP Mike Schreiner, who was in attendance at the rally, expressed his concerns about Bill 5 during an interview.
"I'm deeply concerned, not only for protecting the environment, but also Indigenous rights and just even our democracy, that this is an extraordinary and unprecedented power grab by the Premier that enables him to have the power to hand select companies or projects and then decide which laws do or don't apply to them. And that's the kind of actions you see in authoritarian regimes, not in a democracy like ours."
Local MPP Joseph Racinsky, who voted in favour of Bill 5, was not in attendance at the rally, but provided a statement by email, saying: "With Bill 5, we are going to cut unnecessary red tape; speed up the permitting and approval process; and make it easier for companies to get shovels in the ground so that they can create more good-paying jobs across the province," Racinsky stated.
He also highlighted local examples of how Bill 5 could benefit Wellington Halton Hills, adding, "Under the current Endangered Species Act, the process to obtain a permit is slow and complex, causing unnecessary delays and costs for housing, transit, and critical infrastructure. Local examples of this include the Prince Street reconstruction as well as the Glen Williams Bridge rehabilitation."
Racinsky further stated that Bill 5 will strengthen inspection and investigation powers, allowing project sites to be inspected without a warrant, and inspectors will be able to issue compliance orders, with strong fines and potential imprisonment for violators.
First Nations communities across Ontario have remained critical of Bill 5, with the Chiefs of Ontario issuing a press release on June 5, 2025, stating, "Our Chiefs have made it clear that they fully reject Bill 5, and the Chiefs of Ontario stand by and defend the position of the Chiefs,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “First Nations rights holders must be at the table, and the Government must fulfill its constitutional and treaty obligations.”
Environmental advocates, political leaders, and First Nations communities say that the fight against Bill 5 is not over, with vows of continued protests and action against the legislation.
For MPP Joseph Racinsky's full statement, click here.
Be sure to follow me on social media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randomphotoadventure
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randomphotoadventure
BlueSky: randomphotoadv.bsky.social
Have a tip, story idea, event, or want to appear as a guest column? Contact me or get in touch by emailing randomphotoadventure@substack.com