A view of the Eagle’s Nest nickel-copper project in the Ring of Fire region of northern Ontario. Credit: Wyloo Metals
Environmental groups and some First Nations oppose Ontario’s Bill 5 to boost mining despite changes by Premier Doug Ford who calls it an opportunity of a lifetime.
The proposed law, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act 2025, aims to accelerate mining development and create First Nations-led special economic zones such as for the Ring of Fire region north of Lake Superior, but Indigenous leaders are challenging it.
“Bill 5 is a direct attack on our nations, our people, our treaties, and our future generations,” Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) said in a standing committee meeting at Queen’s Park this week, according to a release. NAN represents 49 First Nations in Ontario’s North.
“Ontario is claiming they are fast-tracking this…
