Comment
I am opposed to Ontario’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, 2025 (Bill 5) for the following reasons.
1. Bill 5 is an assault on democracy. It deprives the citizens of Ontario of the right to express their opinion on projects within the SEZs. It also empowers the shift to autocratic rule by a certain political party in Ontario. This is a dangerous development.
2. Bill 5 eviscerates Ontario’s commitment to environmental stewardship and climate goals. Harmful projects will be allowed to proceed without adequate oversight. The environmental review process for such projects will be severely impaired.
3. Bill 5 is biased toward corporate interests and against workers’ rights and protections. Labour standards, workplace safety rules, or collective bargaining rights will be diminished.
4. Bill 5 allows large corporations and investors to be lavishly rewarded economically, while excluding local businesses and communities from economic gains.
5. Bill 5 lacks sufficient transparency and accountability measures. Decision-making processes will be largely hidden from the public. Authorities will escape the consequences of bad decisions and corruption.
Submitted October 15, 2025 1:39 PM
Comment on
Consultation on Proposed Special Economic Zones Criteria
ERO number
025-1077
Comment ID
158585
Commenting on behalf of
Comment status