I am very concerned about…

I am very concerned about the draft of Bill 5 regarding the establishments of Special Economic Zones and the effect this can have on the environment - which is not red tape or some annoying thing getting in the way of development. Good environmental health means good public health and a strong economy. Both the economy and environment can flourish together, we just have to make the right choices and special economic zones are not the right choice.

I am specifically concerned around the current draft in Bill 5 to establish SEZs for several reasons: as proposed, the Ontario government will have unrestricted powers to authorize resource development - without regard for Indigenous rights, environmental protection, or the public’s right to have a say - and decide which legal safeguards do or do not apply in a SEZ. This may not only have environmental consequences but could affect property values in areas close to development projects within SEZs.

I agree with the following recommendations as proposed by other advocacy groups:

1) Promote good governance by limiting discretion and political decision-making. This means
limiting the discretion of the Minister and Lieutenant Governor in Council to decide whether
designation criteria have been met and instead employ an evidence-based approach where criteria are clearly defined and measurable, and establish oversight mechanisms to increase
public participation in and transparency of designation decisions;

2) Respect and uphold Indigenous rights and sovereignty. This means ensuring any
decision-making process respects Indigenous rights and sovereignty by enabling their
meaningful participation, equitable benefit sharing, mandating the assessment of social,
cultural, environmental and cumulative impacts, and explicitly referencing the rights and
principles enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(UNDRIP), including Free, Prior and Informed Consent; and

3) Remove the threat of SEZs operating outside of the law. This means withdrawing the draft
regulation and repealing the SEZA that would allow the province to decide what - if any - laws
apply to designated projects/proponents within a SEZ.

Thank you for considering my comments.

T.
Cobourg, ON