Special Economic Zones Act,…

Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 (schedule 9) Comments:

I urge the government of Ontario to cancel Bill 5 due to deep concerns about the proposed Special Economic Zones Act (schedule 9 of Bill 5). It infringes on democratic process and democratic principles that the rule of law applies to all and separation of powers among the three branches of government.

My concerns about the proposed Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 include:

-It provides overriding powers to the cabinet to create special economic zones for any reason and any location. There is no purpose clause in the Bill.

-There are no procedures before making designations or transparency requirements for applying for designations.

-Once designated a Special Economic Zone, the zone can be exempt from any applicable provincial or municipal law, including regarding health and safety laws, environment laws, labour laws, official plans, municipal by-laws.

- Three important terms are not defined and are left to be defined or modified at any point by Cabinet: “trusted proponents”, “designated projects”, and “special economic zones”.