By Emily Stonehouse

As we watch the smoke drift into our backyards with wildfires ravaging the country, they passed Bill 5.

A contentious topic, which will make immediate changes to the Endangered Species Act, the Environmental Assessment Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Mining Act, the Ontario Energy Board Act, the Ontario Heritage Act and the Species Conservation Act.

Environmental agencies, wildlife conservationists, and Indigenous groups are outraged.

We all should be.

Including the people of this community, who rely on the great outdoors and the natural wonder of our lakes and trees for our livelihood.

Premier Doug Ford has made it blatantly clear that he does not prioritize the environment in any way, shape, or form. That’s no surprise. But don’t worry, he didn’t even show up the day of the vote; too sheepish to pick one way or the other.

But we all know his thoughts. Sometimes actions speak louder than words.

This topic crossed my desk a few times. And I’m grateful for that. It meant people care. People fought this one right to the top. People who believe in the rights of Indigenous groups. People who believe in the need for nature. People who want to see our future generations succeed.

Sometimes these bills get lost in the mud. While we see the topic loudly discussed on social media channels, the actual voting process happens in a place far beyond our quiet communities.

When I started writing for local newspapers, I was told that the editorials should reflect only what is happening in our towns; a topic directly pertinent to our local people.

As a result, the decisions made by those representing us afar were often overlooked. Once events traipsed past boundary lines, we stuck our head in the sand. The stories getting lost in the mud.

But I think we should start talking about it. Our MPP, Laurie Scott, the representative who leads our community, voted in favour of Bill 5. That means she’s in favour of going against years of Indigenous partnerships. She doesn’t prioritize our environment, our livelihood. She follows the lead of Doug Ford, and whatever puts cash in his pockets.

Let’s start holding our own representatives accountable. I’m not sure we nail that at any level of government. The ones who seem the easiest to rant about are the ones in the highest positions of power, and while the Trump/Musk catfight seems to be dominating our screens these days, the representatives closest to us are actually the ones who have the greatest impact on our lives.

So call them out. Let’s ask Laurie Scott why she chose Ford’s side over the side of her constituents. Why she prioritized making money at the cost of our future. Why she didn’t put us first. Why.

Politics used to be something that happened at tables far from our own. We weren’t privy to the ins and outs of the debate. But times have changed. We have a role now. A presence that is valuable, and should be recognized.

Moving forward, as an editor, I will not shy away from showcasing the decisions our elected officials make: even if those votes happen beyond the boundary lines. We need to start caring about the decisions these select few – the ones we apparently voted for – make about our lives. About our world. About our future.

Otherwise, it’ll all get muddy. It’s time to pull our heads from the sand.