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”. This is unacceptable.

These draft regulations reinforce the Minister’s discretionary power, doing nothing to alleviate concerns about transparency, accountability, and environmental protection. The government needs to strengthen — not weaken — Ontario’s environmental safeguards.

I am opposed to these draft regulations for many reasons, including:

- SEZs can be declared anywhere in Ontario if Cabinet believes that area is “economically significant or strategically important”.

- “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”. This government has proven that they do not have a good track record when it comes to environmental matters, so I do not trust the Minister's opinion of trusted proponents.

- Designated projects within SEZs are not required to ensure that risk mitigation strategies actually work, and there is no independent oversight.

- Despite clear feedback from Indigenous communities, the draft regulation contains no mechanism to affirm Indigenous rights or consultation requirements. This is unacceptable.

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 same discretion that continues to try and pave over the Greenbelt despite public outcry. This is unacceptable.

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

I am strongly opposed to the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 (Bill 5).