Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s economic development minister, has responded to Indigenous leaders’ concerns by claiming that all the province’s First Nations received invitations to participate in consultation meetings concerning Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025.
TBnewswatch’s report and other reports claimed that numerous northwestern Ontario community leaders, including Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s grand chief, did not know about the consultation sessions, according to a news story from the Canadian Mining Journal (CMJ).
CMJ explained that these private meetings across Ontario – including in Toronto, London, Thunder Bay, and Sudbury, with locations revealed only to registered attendees – sought to gain insights from Indigenous leaders, lawyers, and advisors on the legislation’s implementation.
According to CMJ, Fedeli said the province excluded the public from the consultation sessions because they specifically targeted First Nations communities, which all received invitations.
CMJ added that David Piccini, Ontario’s labour minister, agreed with Fedeli and characterized the private meetings as part of the provincial premier’s pending consultation efforts with First Nations.
CMJ shared that First Nations groups have found fault in the controversial legislation and expressed concerns that it could breach their treaty and constitutional rights and cause environmental impacts on their traditional territories through infrastructure and resource projects.
CMJ noted that Jamie West, Sudbury New Democratic Party member of provincial parliament, said Ontario is causing more ambiguity and confusion with its closed-door consultation process, doing the “bare minimum,” and continuing “to operate entirely on its own terms,” while some chiefs navigate emergencies.
More on Bill 5
Through Bill 5, the Ontario government said it seeks to designate special economic zones for critical infrastructure, mining, and resource development and streamline project approvals for developments considered strategic and in the national interest, such as the Ring of Fire.
In a news release last April, the province said the legislation aims to:
- reduce red tape and duplicative processes
- unlock the economic potential of critical minerals
- make the provincial economy more competitive
- promote business, investments, and job creation
- designate the first special economic zone by September
Ontario said the proponents for special economic zones should comply with strict operating, safety and environmental standards. Ontario added that they would then benefit from streamlined requirements, accelerated permitting, and priority access to services.
The province noted in its news release that it intended to meet robust environmental standards and uphold duty-to-consult obligations. It said it expected to prioritize critical mineral development opportunities, such as those for nickel, copper, and chromite.