This proposal Special…

ERO number

025-0391

Comment ID

145761

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Individual

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Comment

This proposal Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability and the protection of Indigenous rights and the environment. Allowing a piece of legislation that would allow the Ontario government to bypass existing laws and regulations in designated areas, effectively fast tracking projects without adequate public scrutiny or environmental safeguards is not how I see my elected government to operate by.

The bill lacks clear criteria for what qualifies as "special economic zone," leaving too much discretion to the provincial cabinet. There's way too much of vagueness that open the door to arbitrary decision-making and undermining democratic oversight.

The proposed repeal of the Endangered Species Act and its replacement with a weaker framework further signals a troubling shift away from environmental protection in favour of industrial development. Without robust checks and balances, this legislation could lead to irreversible harm to Ontario's ecosystems and marginalized communities.

I'm in total against this legislation!