Talking Turkey, Environmental Rights, And a New Town Bird: October 2025

Did you know Ontario has an Environmental Bill of Rights? We talk Turkey, Special Economic Zones, the Ring of Fire and photo essays make a colourful return.

Oct 31, 2025

OCTOBER IN REVIEW

Howdy everyone, I hope you have all been doing well.

Since this newsletter will be going out on the 31st, I also wish you all a Happy Halloween!

Does Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights Have Teeth?

That's the question I asked in my latest article, which was published on The Narwhal, arguably Canada’s leading environmental journalism publication. It’s an in-depth look at Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights, and I’m proud to have produced it.

If you’ve never heard of the Environmental Bill of Rights, you’re not alone.

The Ford Government has quietly been eroding the bill, which is arguably one of Ontario’s oldest pieces of environmental legislation, and keeping Ontarians in the dark about it.

I caught up with Green Party Leader and MPP for Guelph, Mike Schreiner, at Queen’s Park, to hear his thoughts on the Environmental Bill of Rights.

“Well, the Ford government has been systematically dismantling the Environmental Bill of Rights. We’ve seen that in the Auditor General’s reports, and we’ve seen that in the actions of the government, I think the people of Ontario deserve to know that their environment is going to be protected, and deserve to know that their voice is going to be heard and they’re going to be consulted when it comes to major changes that affect our environment.”

In the full article, I note that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks was contacted for comment on these criticisms but did not respond by publication time.

Click Here To Read It

More from Queen’s Park: Emission Targets, Special Economic Zones, and Mining the Ring of Fire

October also saw the return of the Ontario Legislature and the announcement of two significant developments. One is that Ontario is not on track to meet its 2030 emission targets, and the other is that draft details of the proposed Special Economic Zones have been announced.

In a release announcing the draft Special Economic Zone regulations, published on October 2, 2025, Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships, said:

“Our government continues to facilitate hearty political participation and engagement with Indigenous communities across the province, with increasingly positive feedback, as we build out the regulations for Special Economic Zones,”

I also heard Schreiner’s thoughts on the proposal during my interview at Queen’s Park:

“They’re basically saying that we can hand-pick companies and projects and allow them to operate in zones without any laws. So no wonder indigenous folks are so upset, because what they are doing with special economic zones is a direct attack on indigenous rights, environmental protections, labour laws, and even just basic democratic oversight.” Schreiner added, “I think First Nations have made it very clear that they’re not opposed to development projects. They’re not opposed to economic development on their lands, but they want to have free, informed, prior consent.”

His concerns echo broader frustrations among Indigenous leaders, who argue the province’s engagement remains superficial.

A Fast Track Into The Ring of Fire

As October came to an end on October 29, 2025, the Doug Ford Government announced an agreement with the Webequie First Nation to fast-track all-season road development.

“This historic agreement is a massive milestone in our plan to protect Ontario, achieve economic reconciliation with First Nations and bring prosperity to Northern Ontario and across the province by unlocking the Ring of Fire,” said Premier Doug Ford.

However, on October 30, 2025, Deputy Leader of the NDP, and the Official Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Indigenous and Treaty Relations and Northern Economic Development and Growth, Sol Mamakwa, still doesn’t believe the Ford Government is doing enough, saying in a press release:

“I respect each First Nation’s right to participate in the Government’s processes in their own way, and yet that doesn’t take away the fact that the Government continues to neglect the Treaty rights and concerns of other impacted First Nations, who are not invited to the table in the first place.”

Introducing the new Town Bird of Halton Hills!

While debates and voting continue at Queen’s Park, the Town of Halton Hills announced on October 18, 2025, at the end of the Art for the Birds exhibition, hosted by the Halton Hills Public Library’s Georgetown Branch, in the Sinnett Lobby (where my work was also featured as part of the exhibition). The new town bird for Halton Hills is the Northern Cardinal.

A male Northern Cardinal perched on a branch (Photo: Greg Noakes)

Mayor of Halton Hills, Ann Lawlor, said in a release, “The Northern Cardinal is a perfect choice. Bright, resilient, and easy to spot in every season. It’s a beautiful reminder that nature is all around us, even in our backyards. I’m proud of the community for embracing this initiative and for continuing to make Halton Hills a haven for birds.”

Halton Hills was the 14th municipality to receive the ‘Bird Friendly City’ certification from Nature Canada in 2022.

Talking Turkey? A Conservation Success Story

For Canadians, October brings Thanksgiving and time for reflection. Culinary-wise, the focus is on the turkey. But many may not realize that the Wild Turkey was virtually eliminated from Ontario’s landscape. However, thanks to some little-known conservation efforts, the wild turkey is once again thriving across the province, learn all about it in this month’s feature!

Saying Goodbye to Tips & Tricks, Hello Nature Know-How!

After some consideration, the Tips and Tricks section is undergoing a rebrand and a slight content direction change. Moving forward, it will be known as ‘Nature Know-how’ to reflect the planned content better.

As you may have already seen, this month’s Nature Know-how is about how to bird by ear!

Finally, as the leaves hit their peak, I am keeping with my previous commitment to include more photography. I’ve published a new photo essay, Halton in Full Colour, showcasing some of my favourite autumn shots from over the years.

Until the next one,
-Greg