FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MPP Mike Schreiner, joined a diverse coalition of organizations united against Bill 5 at a press conference hosted by Environmental Defence, and released the following statement:
“I was inspired by the incredible range of voices speaking out against Bill 5 today.
From environmental NGOs and First Nations leaders to legal experts, archaeologists, and civil society organizations – the message was loud and clear: Bill 5 is a reckless power grab, and an attack on democracy, the people and places we love, and the constitutional duty to consult First Nations.
This bill would grant the Premier and his cabinet sweeping, unprecedented powers to override provincial and municipal laws – laws that protect workers, endangered species, farmland, and the nature that protects us from flooding and unsafe weather.
The Premier is using Trump’s trade war as cover to ram this legislation through, despite the serious and lasting damage it would cause.
Invoking Trump-style politics to gut environmental protections and bypass Indigenous consultation is both dangerous and deeply disrespectful.
I stand with citizens, First Nations, and stakeholder groups across the province in calling on the Premier to withdraw this bill immediately.”