Bill 5 and the Critical Importance of Biodiversity to Life on Earth

Recent signers:
Daryl Aldworth and 11 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Bill 5 has now become law, giving the Ontario government the power to rewrite the endangered species list which contains over 230 plant and animals species. That's part of the story because this bill can arbitrarily create Special Economic Zones which favor particular corporations and projects and exempt them from these laws:
Planning Act
Environmental Protection Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Highway Traffic Act
Trespass to Property Act

It's also a slap in the face to Indigenous groups because it suspends the need to respect Section 35 of the Constitution. Within these zones, the government can exempt approved projects from any provincial or municipal law, including those mandating environmental assessments, heritage protection, and protections tied to Indigenous rights

The bill is probably illegal in multiple ways; it disregards the rule of law, and the Canadian Constitution begins by stating "Whereas Canada is founded upon the supremacy of God and the rule of law".  Doug Ford has placed himself above the law. He has no right - legal, moral or otherwise - to do such a thing. 

The Bill is almost certainly a violation of Section 1 of the Ontario Human Rights Code :  "Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability."  Why?  It creates a disproportionate disadvantage for people who rely on access to legal systems - something that is withdrawn within any Special Economic Zone, where Bill 5 has immunized the government of Ontario from legal challenges. This will create a climate of fear, a legal system that is unaccountable and opaque, and will harm Indigenous persons and people with mental health concerns far more than the average person - and much more than those who are well off, with greater social capital to help with any disturbance caused by Bill 5.

The fight will continue past June 5 so your support doesn't evaporate just because Bill 5 passes. Challenges can be mounted based on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights code and doubtless will be. 

This petition focuses primarily on the fact that the Ford government is playing dice with our environment - the living, breathing visible and invisible cocoon on which all life on Earth depends. 

from https://ontarionature.org/programs/endangered-species/

"In simple terms, biodiversity is life, and all life on Earth relies on each other to survive. The complex, interconnected web of biodiversity contributes to vibrant landscapes and water systems, a livable climate, food systems, medicines, economies, cultures and identities. However, habitat loss and degradation, climate change, invasive species, pollution and over-exploitation of natural resources are driving the decline of biodiversity. In fact, we are facing the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago. Globally, almost one in eight birds, one in four mammals and one in three amphibians are in jeopardy."

Please consider signing this petition (letter) to Doug Ford before it is too late.

Dear Premier Ford:

Why are you proposing to give yourself the power to modify the endangered species list?

Are you willing to play dice with biodiversity, the operating system of our planet? You are tinkering with something with such complexity and so intricately formed and designed, like a child playing with the innermost workings of the software running a computer that holds the keys to nasty weapons. What gives you the right?

Plants contain potential cures for every known disease. To gamble with the future of medicine is a crime against humanity. What gives you the right?

Animals share this planet with us and some are among our best and most cherished friends. You could wipe out one or more of them. What gives you the right?

You are messing with our best defense against disease outbreaks. You propose to chance wreaking havoc on soil formation, climate regulation, air purification, water formation and purification, mental health, agriculture, tourism, and essential materials like timber, fibers, and natural dyes. What in God’s name makes you think you have the right?

Sir, please examine your heart because it could be very costly when you have to stand in front of God and account for what you did to his handiwork. Think this through very carefully before you play the fool. Donald Trump is bad enough. We don’t need an echo of that rot in this beautiful province and nation.

You can do much better than this.

A concerned citizen of Ontario who loves this planet.

629

Recent signers:
Daryl Aldworth and 11 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Bill 5 has now become law, giving the Ontario government the power to rewrite the endangered species list which contains over 230 plant and animals species. That's part of the story because this bill can arbitrarily create Special Economic Zones which favor particular corporations and projects and exempt them from these laws:
Planning Act
Environmental Protection Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Highway Traffic Act
Trespass to Property Act

It's also a slap in the face to Indigenous groups because it suspends the need to respect Section 35 of the Constitution. Within these zones, the government can exempt approved projects from any provincial or municipal law, including those mandating environmental assessments, heritage protection, and protections tied to Indigenous rights

The bill is probably illegal in multiple ways; it disregards the rule of law, and the Canadian Constitution begins by stating "Whereas Canada is founded upon the supremacy of God and the rule of law".  Doug Ford has placed himself above the law. He has no right - legal, moral or otherwise - to do such a thing. 

The Bill is almost certainly a violation of Section 1 of the Ontario Human Rights Code :  "Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability."  Why?  It creates a disproportionate disadvantage for people who rely on access to legal systems - something that is withdrawn within any Special Economic Zone, where Bill 5 has immunized the government of Ontario from legal challenges. This will create a climate of fear, a legal system that is unaccountable and opaque, and will harm Indigenous persons and people with mental health concerns far more than the average person - and much more than those who are well off, with greater social capital to help with any disturbance caused by Bill 5.

The fight will continue past June 5 so your support doesn't evaporate just because Bill 5 passes. Challenges can be mounted based on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights code and doubtless will be. 

This petition focuses primarily on the fact that the Ford government is playing dice with our environment - the living, breathing visible and invisible cocoon on which all life on Earth depends. 

from https://ontarionature.org/programs/endangered-species/

"In simple terms, biodiversity is life, and all life on Earth relies on each other to survive. The complex, interconnected web of biodiversity contributes to vibrant landscapes and water systems, a livable climate, food systems, medicines, economies, cultures and identities. However, habitat loss and degradation, climate change, invasive species, pollution and over-exploitation of natural resources are driving the decline of biodiversity. In fact, we are facing the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago. Globally, almost one in eight birds, one in four mammals and one in three amphibians are in jeopardy."

Please consider signing this petition (letter) to Doug Ford before it is too late.

Dear Premier Ford:

Why are you proposing to give yourself the power to modify the endangered species list?

Are you willing to play dice with biodiversity, the operating system of our planet? You are tinkering with something with such complexity and so intricately formed and designed, like a child playing with the innermost workings of the software running a computer that holds the keys to nasty weapons. What gives you the right?

Plants contain potential cures for every known disease. To gamble with the future of medicine is a crime against humanity. What gives you the right?

Animals share this planet with us and some are among our best and most cherished friends. You could wipe out one or more of them. What gives you the right?

You are messing with our best defense against disease outbreaks. You propose to chance wreaking havoc on soil formation, climate regulation, air purification, water formation and purification, mental health, agriculture, tourism, and essential materials like timber, fibers, and natural dyes. What in God’s name makes you think you have the right?

Sir, please examine your heart because it could be very costly when you have to stand in front of God and account for what you did to his handiwork. Think this through very carefully before you play the fool. Donald Trump is bad enough. We don’t need an echo of that rot in this beautiful province and nation.

You can do much better than this.

A concerned citizen of Ontario who loves this planet.

Support now

629


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