John Yakabuski

Ford’s energy minister was also shuffled in a massive changeup. Ford also brought back Rod Phillips, a former finance and environment minister who previously resigned from caucus taking a tropical vacation amid COVID-19.

The bill doesn’t single out Canada, but would require state contractors to ensure they only use boreal forest wood products that respect Indigenous rights and aren’t adding to forest destruction. Ontario, Alberta and Quebec and Canada’s Consulate General are arguing it unfairly targets industry north of the border.

Environmental advocates say the change will push endangered species in Ontario closer to extinction. The Ontario government says other layers of protection are enough, and the move would help create jobs.

Environmental advocates say the move is a further weakening of a law protecting species at risk, which could harm threatened woodland caribou. The forestry industry, which has pushed for a permanent exemption, says logging operations already must meet rigorous sustainability standards.

The federal Liberal government is providing $15 million over four years to rescue the 50 Million Tree Program, which is the first Ontario-based environmental initiative to be funded through the Low Carbon Economy Fund. The fund had earmarked $420 million for the province to provide to energy efficiency programs and other measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Premier Doug Ford's Ontario government has cut 70 per cent of provincial funding to a non-profit organization that helps more than three dozen Indigenous communities protect endangered wildlife and natural resources, National Observer has learned. 

The Ontario government said on Monday that it was proposing to repeal the Far North Act with the aim of "reducing red tape and restrictions on important economic development projects" in the northern part of the province, including the Ring of Fire, all-season roads and electrical transmission projects.