Response to ERO 025-1077…

Response to ERO 025-1077 Consultation on
Proposed Special Economic Zone criteria

The Special Economic Zone Act is focused on economic benefits at the expense of the environment. This is short-sighted planning. The global track record of special economic zones causes worry about potential environmental damage, reduced oversight, and the erosion of community and Indigenous rights. Special economic zones offer short-term gains for developers, sometimes at the expense of long-term public well-being.

The Special Economic Zone Act should be repealed.

Before any development occurs Indigenous communities must be consulted. This requirement must be included and clearly stated in the regulations.

Decisions around SEZ should not be made at the discretion or opinion of the Minister. Decisions about must be transparent and evidence-based with involvement of the local community affected by the project.

It is unclear from these draft regulations how trusted proponents will be selected, how the impacts to water, the environment and ecosystems will be determined, and how these environmental impacts will affect decision-making. The draft regulations must be re-written to include this information.