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”.
Last week, the government released draft regulations that outline how zones, projects and proponents will be designated under the Act.
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.
To me, this is a good enough reason to doubt the actual good faith of this provincial government, caught with the hands in the jam already in the past.
Moreover, despite clear feedback from Indigenous communities, the draft regulation contains no mechanism to affirm Indigenous rights or consultation requirements. Which is even more enraging, given that we are on their lands, and after all the talks about truth and reconciliation.
Doing this kind of mistakes, towards the environment, towards the Indigenous Peoples, towards our kids, is not acceptable anymore because now we have knowledge about what: losing biodiversity, or mining without clear environmental boundaries and attention, and polluting water and soil, mean.
Besides, this is a delicate moment in the history of democracy and defending it, calling for transparency and accountability, is crucial.
Thank you.