The Special Economic Zones…

The Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 (Bill 5) gives the Ontario government sweeping powers to override environmental protections, exempt hand-picked companies from laws, and sideline Indigenous voices within “Special Economic Zones” (SEZs) — in the name of “economic growth”.

What we need instrad is balanced growth within already designated city and town limits.

Last week, the government released draft regulations that outline how zones, projects and proponents will be designated under the Act. These regulations continue to strip away protections, not only for wildlife but also for the people of this province.

Remember when we had a Water Safety Commision?

The regulations were a chance to place meaningful limits on the powers that the Act grants to Cabinet. Instead, they reinforce the Minister’s discretionary power, doing nothing to alleviate concerns about transparency, accountability, and environmental protection.

SEZs can be declared anywhere in Ontario if Cabinet believes that area is “economically significant or strategically important” and “no larger than necessary”.
“Trusted proponents” can be handpicked by the Minister with no independent checks. Whether they have a good record on environmental compliance is entirely “in the opinion of the Minister”.
Designated projects within SEZs are only required to consider health and environmental risks. There’s no requirement to ensure that risk mitigation strategies actually work, and no independent oversight.
The draft regulation contains no mechanism to affirm Indigenous rights or consultation requirements even though there has been clear feedback outlining the need for this.

Ontario’s environment and communities deserve better. The Special Economic Zones framework leaves our province’s air, land, and water at the mercy of political discretion — not the law.

The Ford government’s plan benefits hand-picked “trusted proponents”, while putting Ontarians’ health, safety, and democracy at risk.

We call on the government to strengthen — not weaken — Ontario’s environmental safeguards. We need to hold our elected oficials accountable.

We need to speak up for transparency, accountability, and environmental protection.