The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada should look to Manitoba—not Ontario—for leadership in co-operative environmental assessments
Ontario’s recent actions, including the passage of Bill 5, have exposed deep provincial controversies, weakened environmental protections, and disregarded the spirit of consultation. This instability will only create future federal-level headaches if Ontario is treated as a model partner.
Manitoba, by contrast, is demonstrating what responsible leadership looks like.
With an Indigenous Premier and a government actively working to rebuild trust, Manitoba offers a far stronger foundation for genuine partnership, respectful Indigenous engagement, and transparent environmental decision-making. Meanwhile, Ontario is still fighting its own First Nations over the Ring of Fire and pushing forward projects without meaningful consent.
If Canada truly wants “one project, one review” that respects the environment and Indigenous rights, Manitoba should be setting the standard, not Ontario.
Consultation has concluded