I am concerned that the…

I am concerned that the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 gives discretion to the provincial government to grant exemptions to environmental and cultural regulations to so-called "trusted proponents." I am concerned that this power will be used to favor those with a personal relationship to the government or political ties, which would in turn create corruption, in addition to being environmentally destructive. The provincial government and its proponents and partners should be subject to the same regulations and protections as they impose on others.

I am also concerned that this power would be used to bypass environmental and cultural regulations in sensitive areas. Areas with economic potential often also have a huge environmental importance that can not simply be bypassed. Furthermore, the Act does not mention Indigenous legal rights, and does not guarantee that the government will obtain the consent of Indigenous communities before approving or undertaking activities that may adversely affect Indigenous lands or resources.

I would like to remind everyone involved in this decision-making process that our air quality, water systems, agriculture, and climate regulation all hang in the balance whenever environmental regulations are loosened. Overall, I am concerned that Bill 5 as a whole will allow the provincial government to bulldoze Ontario's environmental protections and make exceptions for those who can afford to bypass our environmental laws.