The Ontario Legislature recently passed Bill 5, the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act.” Anishinabek Nation leadership has been strongly opposed to this legislation, as the provincial government intends to move quickly on creating “special economic zones” where mining, infrastructure and energy projects can bypass provincial and municipal laws, posing serious risks to the environment, species, and Indigenous cultural sites. First Nations were not consulted before the bill was drafted. In this episode, we’ll hear what our Anishinabek leadership had to say about Bill 5. How will Bill 5 impact First Nations? How was this Bill fast-tracked through the Legislature? And what are our next steps going forward?
This podcast is produced by the Communications Department at the Anishinabek Nation.
Music:
“Brothers,” by Wolf Saga and Chippewa Travellers
“Following the Rhythm” by Justin Delorme
“Over the North” by Shauna Seeteenak
licenced by Nagamo Publishing.
Drum groups: Buffalo Charging, Medicine Lodge Singers.
Transcript:
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/xisd63kumhhsw3c2/S2E03_AN_Bill5_Transcript_FINAL_2025-06-20.pdf

Links and Resources:
Protecting Our Lands: A First Nations Response to Bill 5
https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/resources/protecting-our-lands/
Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025
https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-5
Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act
https://www.parl.ca/documentviewer/en/45-1/bill/C-5/first-reading
The Potential Impacts of US Tariffs on the Ontario Economy
https://fao-on.org/en/report/impacts-of-us-tariffs/
Ontario’s Proposed Bill 5 Will be Devastating to Indigenous Rights and Interests
https://www.oktlaw.com/ontarios-proposed-bill-5-will-be-devastating-to-indigenous-rights-and-interests/
Anishinabek Nation calls upon provincial government to halt advancement of Bill 5, engage in meaningful consultation with First Nations
https://anishinabek.ca/2025/05/13/8870/
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