Paddle for Nibi: Schreiner joins Walpole Island First Nation and Dresden Care in Rally to kill Bill 5

July 13, 2025

DRESDEN — Ontario Greens Leader Mike Schreiner joined First Nations water protectors, community members, and allies this morning at the Paddle for Nibi canoe rally in Dresden, standing in opposition to Bill 5 and the Dresden Dump.

“Bill 5 is a direct attack on First Nations rights, the duty to consult, environmental protections, and democratic oversight,” said Schreiner.

“Water is life and Bill 5 puts that at risk. But Doug Ford clearly doesn’t care. So we have to be loud in fighting back.”

Schreiner called the Ford government’s refusal to respect consultation and environmental assessments a reckless assault on First Nations sovereignty, the land, water, and future generations.

“This government is trying to bulldoze over local voices and harm communities where people live,” Schreiner said. “But First Nations and communities across the province are not staying silent. And neither will I.”

Schreiner joined Chief Leela Thomas of Walpole Island First Nation for the canoe launch and to commit to protecting the region’s water from the proposed Dresden Dump.

“I was honoured to be invited to join Chief Thomas this morning to affirm our sacred duty to protect water.”

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