We call upon the Government of Ontario to comply with UNDRIP Article 29
We call upon the Government of Ontario to comply with UNDRIP Article 29
The Issue
Indigenous communities across Ontario have lived on, cared for, and maintained harmonious relationships with the land for thousands of years. This deep-rooted connection means our Indigenous Peoples are often the first witnesses to the environmental changes and challenges our province faces today.
We are deeply concerned about ongoing and proposed resource development projects in Ontario that disregard Indigenous rights to protect the ecological integrity of their traditional territories.
Article 29 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) unequivocally states that Indigenous peoples have the right to the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands, territories and resources. Yet, time and again, this essential principle is not being fully respected by the provincial government of Ontario.
Passed in June 2025, Ontario’s Bill 5 (the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act”) gives the provincial cabinet sweeping powers to create "special economic zones" (SEZs). Within these zones, the government can exempt preferred projects and businesses from key provincial laws, municipal bylaws, and environmental safeguards.
Critics, legal experts, and First Nations Leaders argue that Ontario's Bill 5 helps the government bypass or undermine Indigenous rights and consultation processes and weaken environmental safeguards that Indigenous communities rely on (Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
We urge the Government of Ontario to amend or repeal Bill 5 to ensure full compliance with UNDRIP article 29, and to champion a collaborative model that respects Indigenous sovereignty and safeguards our shared environment. This respect for Indigenous communities’ knowledge and stewardship can yield benefits far beyond the immediate requirements of the declaration. For instance, integrative co-management strategies have proven successful globally, ensuring economic growth does not equate to environmental neglect.
Your support in this endeavor is crucial. By signing this petition, you join a call for actionable change that respects Indigenous rights and protects our environment for generations to come. Let's stand together to ensure that Ontario's progress is just and sustainable. Please sign and share this petition with your networks.
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The Issue
Indigenous communities across Ontario have lived on, cared for, and maintained harmonious relationships with the land for thousands of years. This deep-rooted connection means our Indigenous Peoples are often the first witnesses to the environmental changes and challenges our province faces today.
We are deeply concerned about ongoing and proposed resource development projects in Ontario that disregard Indigenous rights to protect the ecological integrity of their traditional territories.
Article 29 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) unequivocally states that Indigenous peoples have the right to the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands, territories and resources. Yet, time and again, this essential principle is not being fully respected by the provincial government of Ontario.
Passed in June 2025, Ontario’s Bill 5 (the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act”) gives the provincial cabinet sweeping powers to create "special economic zones" (SEZs). Within these zones, the government can exempt preferred projects and businesses from key provincial laws, municipal bylaws, and environmental safeguards.
Critics, legal experts, and First Nations Leaders argue that Ontario's Bill 5 helps the government bypass or undermine Indigenous rights and consultation processes and weaken environmental safeguards that Indigenous communities rely on (Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
We urge the Government of Ontario to amend or repeal Bill 5 to ensure full compliance with UNDRIP article 29, and to champion a collaborative model that respects Indigenous sovereignty and safeguards our shared environment. This respect for Indigenous communities’ knowledge and stewardship can yield benefits far beyond the immediate requirements of the declaration. For instance, integrative co-management strategies have proven successful globally, ensuring economic growth does not equate to environmental neglect.
Your support in this endeavor is crucial. By signing this petition, you join a call for actionable change that respects Indigenous rights and protects our environment for generations to come. Let's stand together to ensure that Ontario's progress is just and sustainable. Please sign and share this petition with your networks.
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Petition created on September 23, 2026