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In Northern Ontario sits one of the largest peatland ecosystems on Earth, so vast it stores more carbon per square metre than the Amazon rainforest. The Omushkego Cree call it Yehewin Aski, the Breathing Lands, and their nations have stewarded it since time immemorial under Treaty 9.
In 2025, Ontario tabled Bill 5, the so-called Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, on the eve of the Easter long weekend. Buried inside it: Special Economic Zones, where the Premier's Cabinet can exempt handpicked developers from environmental assessments, municipal bylaws, and heritage protections. The first target is the mineral-rich Ring of Fire, in the heart of Treaty 9.
This week we're digging into how Bill 5 works, how it sidesteps the constitutional duty to consult, the repeal of Ontario's Endangered Species Act, and the fight now underway: a $95 billion lawsuit from ten Treaty 9 First Nations demanding co-jurisdiction over their homelands, grassroots land defenders heading to court, and communities refusing to let their treaty rights be legislated away.
Clean water, treaty rights, and endangered species are not red tape.
Want to help? Support the Treaty 9 legal challenge through RAVEN Trust's Breathing Lands campaign, follow Ontario Nature and Environmental Defence, and call your MPP to say you oppose Special Economic Zones.
Support the Treaty 9 Legal Challenge: Breathing Lands - Raven Trust
Support Grassroots Legal Action: LAND - Stop Bill 5 Campaign
Advocate for Wildlife & Repeal: Ontario Nature - Bill 5 Action Hub
Call Your Representative: Environmental Defence - Repeal Bill 5 Tool
This episode was researched by Christine Young.
Sources for this episode include the Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada, RAVEN Trust, Ontario Nature, the Canadian Environmental Law Association, The Narwhal, CBC News, and the text of Bill 5 itself.
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✨ This episode also highlights the work of Niagara Reproductive Justice (NRJ)— Learn more or support their work by visiting their social media or emailing niagarareproductivejustice@gmail.com.
Thorain Art & Illustration creates darkly whimsical art inspired by vintage Halloween, forgotten fairytales, and strange woodland magic. Find stickers, prints, magnets, keychains, and more on Etsy or at @thorain.draws, and save 10% with code CANADIANCREEPIES.
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Disastra brings heavy, unapologetic energy with their EP Head First. Listen now on YouTube or Bandcamp.
📸 Darkroom Photography is a Niagara-based photographer known for creative lifestyle shoots, spooky sessions, and legendary Halloween photos.
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Edited by Kyle McDonnell