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Ahead of criticism anticipated from those testifying at the all-party committee studying the bill — and protests planned outside the legislature — the Tories were touting their efforts for First Nations.

±õ²ÔÌýlast Thursday’s provincial budget, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy trebled the loan guarantees in the renamed Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program from the previous $1 billion Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program.

Bethlenfalvy said Wednesday it “will support Indigenous participation in more sectors like electricity, critical minerals and resource development, working to create partnerships with First Nations that offer economic opportunities and that will span generations, bringing prosperity to the north and beyond.”

Mark Podlasly, a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation in British Columbia, said the cash infusion sends “a strong signal that the province recognizes the critical role First Nations play in the future of Canada’s economy.”

“These measures support our members’ efforts to build equity ownership and long-term prosperity for their communities,” said Podlasly, who is CEO of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition.

Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Minister Greg Rickford emphasized he’s “heard positive feedback about a targeted approach to specific areas in Ontario where there’s common goals and common interests in things like legacy infrastructure, which is required to support the kinds of resource projects” like mines.

Under Bill 5, the government would be able to streamline environmental approvals and bypass existing laws to expedite infrastructure and resource-extraction projects.

Critics have warned it could harm remote Indigenous communities as well as further endanger at-risk wildlife species throughout the province.

“This bill, to me, is like Ontario First, First Nations last,” warned New Democratic MPP Sol Mamakwa, whose northwestern Ontario riding of Kiiwetinoong includes the massive Ring of Fire mineral deposits.

Indeed, the Chiefs of Ontario have said “Bill 5 significantly weakens environmental protections, reduces oversight of mining and development projects, and limits opportunities for First Nations consultation and consent.”

“The legislation allows the Ontario government to bypass critical processes that safeguard species at risk, cultural heritage, and treaty rights particularly in regions like the Ring of Fire,” the group, which represents 133 First Nations in Ontario, said in a statement.

“It concentrates decision-making power in the hands of ministers and the lieutenant governor without mandating First Nations involvement, threatening sovereignty, land stewardship, and ongoing reconciliation efforts.”

More than 100 environmental and conservation groups have also sounded the alarm about Bill 5, which they fear would be bad for flora and fauna.

But Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said Ontario lags behind many other jurisdictions when it comes to approving new mining projects.

“We have examples where mines are taking twice the rate of other provinces or democracies in the industrialized world,” said Lecce, referring to the 15 years it can take in Ontario to green light a mine.

“If Australia can do it in eight or nine years, and the E.U. can do it in 10 or 12, then we need to be at the forefront of that ambition,” the minister said.

“This is about economic certainty for investors by giving them a tool they never had before, which is an absolute maximum number of days a public servant or politician could make a decision,” he said.

“That is a net new innovation that is necessary to create the certainty, to build the investor confidence, to attract the capital, to get these projects done in partnership with First Nation communities.”