The Removal of Rights

Ontario's Premier is Breaking the Law

In Canada, we have a Charter of Rights. It applies to everyone. It allows us to speak freely, protest and tell our government when we think they are doing something wrong.

Well, I’m exercising my Rights, now. Bill 5, passed in the Ontario Legislature this week has removed our right to protest their use of land. That means Doug Ford can do what ever he wants with the land in Ontario dubbed “crown owned”.

Except, it isn’t “crown owned”, it’s Native Owned.

We live on UNCEDED land. Doug Ford is trying to do an end-run around the Treaties our First Nations have signed with the Crown. He’s trying to make it impossible for people to protest how he destroys things.

In short, he’s trying to silence both citizens of Ontario, and the First Nations in Ontario.

Why? Because he wants to do some more suspicious land deals with his buddies, no doubt. He’s always trying to do that. Like when he tried to swap land in the Greenbelt. Remember that little fancy-dancy ‘make rich quick’ things with his friends.

He may have looked like a Canadian during the election in Canada, especially when he “stood up to Mr. TACO” but he didn’t really. He’s a Taco too; backing out of his threats.

Ford is just another trumpian politician.

So Bill 5, removes the rights of citizens to protest his choice of land use. If he wants to turn a swamp into a factory to make beer, no one can protest it —to the detriment of all the wildlife that depends on that swamp.

Bill 5 sidesteps First Nations: it fails “to respect the constitutional and treaty rights of First Nations,” say the Chiefs of Ontario in their report First Nations Leadership responds to the passing of Bill 5 with warning of legal and grassroots action.

The report goes on to state that Bill 5 “fundamentally weakens environmental and cultural protections and reduces consultation requirements with First Nations.” In fact it “is a direct violation of the Government of Ontario’s obligations to uphold the honour of the Crown.”

After all the First Nations didn’t make those Treaties with Doug Ford, they made them with the Crown of the United Kingdom, and right now that is King Charles. Considering the King was just in Canada reinforcing his commitment to Reconciliation, Truth, and Consultation with the First Nations People, Doug Ford has stepped so far beyond that; it’s criminal.

Bill 5 gives Doug Ford the ability to make decisions that affect First Nations People and the land they live on, without asking them. Without consultation. Wrong.

Not only that, Bill 5 is a serious blow to Ontario’s Environment efforts. The David Suzuki Foundation issued a report calling Bill 5 “Reckless and chilling”. It repealed the Endangered Species Act and has allowed for “special economic zones”. You know what that means: reserving land on which his buddies can build factories, mines, or whatever they want.

This is a “serious violation of the province’s duty to protect biodiversity,” said the David Suzuki Foundation. The government won’t have to maintain transparency or ensure there is public oversight.

In short, it’s a “Get Doug Out of Jail” card, pretty much giving him carte blanche to do what he wants without any supervision.

This is the worst-possible situation to be in. Not only will he destroy the natural parks, he’ll destroy wildlife, he’ll destroy First Nations’ land, and he won’t be accountable to the people of Ontario for it. It really is the most dangerous legislation he’s passed yet.