TORONTO, ON — April 22, 2025 — The Chiefs of Ontario have issued a firm response to the Ontario government’s proposed legislation, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, warning that it risks violating Indigenous rights by bypassing meaningful consultation with First Nations.
The legislation, tabled last week, aims to accelerate mining and infrastructure development by granting the province sweeping powers to override existing regulations. A key feature of the bill is the creation of “special economic zones”, which the government claims will cut project approval timelines by up to 50 per cent and boost provincial security and economic growth.
Premier Doug Ford has named the Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich and ecologically sensitive region in Northern Ontario, as one of the first locations to be designated a special economic zone. This would potentially fast-track mining operations long opposed by some First Nations over environmental and sovereignty concerns.
Chiefs of Ontario: “Consent, Not Consultation, Is the Standard”
In a statement released today, Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict emphasized that the free, prior and informed consent of First Nations is not optional when developments impact their inherent or Treaty rights.
“First Nations are keen to uplift their communities and people, but it cannot come at the expense of their rights, wellbeing, or their environments,” said Chief Benedict.
The Chiefs of Ontario Leadership Council convened urgently following the bill’s introduction. They are demanding a comprehensive consultation process and legal exemptions for First Nations laws in any final version of the legislation.
The council warns that the Act’s language around “special economic zones” is intentionally vague and could be used to sidestep First Nations sovereignty and environmental stewardship responsibilities.
Environmental Oversight and Timeline Cuts Draw Fire
The Act also proposes sweeping regulatory changes, including shifting environmental oversight from a permitting process to a “registration first” model. Proponents argue this will reduce red tape and drive investment, but critics fear it will undermine protections for land and water.
“You can’t ‘unleash’ our rights or our sacred responsibilities to our lands and waters with the wave of a pen,” added Chief Benedict.
Local Context: What This Means for Northwestern Ontario
In Thunder Bay and the broader Northwestern Ontario region, the legislation’s potential fast-tracking of mining projects in the Ring of Fire could have significant implications. Local Indigenous communities, many of whom have voiced opposition or called for stronger consultation protocols, may now face accelerated timelines with less federal or provincial oversight.
The Chiefs’ statement is a critical reminder that the path to economic growth must run through partnerships—not past them.
