The County of Dufferin is…

The County of Dufferin is pleased to submit comments on the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade ('MEDJCT') proposed Special Economic Zones Criteria. In the letter provided as an attachment to this comment, the County offers several suggestions aimed to enhance the currently proposed Special Economic Zones Criteria. Those suggestions include the following:

Special Economic Zones

1. Recommend inclusion of criteria that speaks to Indigenous engagement and the Duty to Consult.

2. Recommend inclusion of criteria that speaks to engagement with the appropriate municipal agencies.

3. Clarification on the terms 'economically significant' and 'strategically important' activities.

Trusted Proponents

1. Recommend continued engagement with appropriate municipal agencies.

2. Recommend materials requested as part of subsections i) and ii) of section 3 be defined and a clause be added requiring those materials be made public.

3. Removal of optional engagement with Indigenous communities under subsection iii) of section 3.

4. Recommend clause be added to subsection iii) of section 3 that requires Indigenous community(s) to be accepting of engagement plan.

Designated Projects

1. Clarification on phrase "such other factors as the Minister considers appropriate" provided in sections 2-4. Examples of 'factors' would be appreciated.

2. Clarification on 'benefits' and what those may entail, which is provided in section 3.

Dufferin County appreciates the opportunity to offer comments on the provided criteria and hopes that MEDJCT incorporates our suggested comments.