Bill 5 is dangerous for workers’ rights

In Doug Ford’s recently tabled Bill 5, the Premier is once again attempting to undermine existing rights and protections for workers, the environment, and Indigenous Rights.

Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, grants the government wide-ranging power to establish ‘economic zones.’ And within those zones, the government would then have the power to suspend or override all existing laws and regulations around labour conditions, health and safety, environmental protections, and municipal regulations.

The Bill passed the vote and received royal assent on June 5, 2025.

“As a Union representing more than 70,000 workers across the province, Bill 5 is deeply concerning. Fighting for more workers’ rights and protections is at the heart of what we do,” said President Kelly Tosato. “The reality of Bill 5 is that it threatens to reduce or eliminate any or all of those rights and protections as the government sees fit. But ultimately, it will only lead to economic devastation and a huge step backwards for working people.”

Your Union wanted Bill 5 amended to reflect that absolutely no labour laws or worker protections will be suspended under this legislation. That would include:

• The Ontario Labour Relations Act
• The Employment Standards Act
• The Occupational Health & Safety Act
• The Ontario Human Rights Code

These laws exist for a reason and they are a result of decades of hard-fought battles lead by Unions, labour and health and safety activists, and workers’ rights advocates across the province and beyond. Our labour laws exist to ensure employers meet a minimum standard of conditions for workers across Ontario.

At their most basic, these laws:

• Help ensure fair treatment and dignity for workers
• Promote economic stability
• Reduce Inequality and social unrest

Without these laws, employers have no minimum standard to meet. From minimum wage to maximum work hours, discrimination, discipline, and termination – anything and everything could be up for grabs.

And while the Bill did pass, your Union made sure to make a submission to the government, along with numerous other labour organizations, outlining our serious concerns with Bill 5. You can read the full UFCW Locals 175 & 633 submission on Bill 5 to the Standing Committee on the Interior here.

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