ERO 025-0391 Special…

ERO 025-0391 Special Economic Zones Act, 2025
As a Canadian citizen who resides in Ontario, I’m submitting these comments regarding ERO 025-0391, “Special Economic Zones Act, 2025”.
I have serious concerns about the changes proposed in this act and respectfully request that it be withdrawn in its entirety. My reasons include the following:
- This proposal undermines rule of law in Ontario by giving Cabinet (through the Lieutenant Governor) the power to determine where special economic zones will be located and to designate "trusted proponents" and "designated projects" that can be exempted from provincial and municipal laws. In essence, this gives the Cabinet unfettered power to pick and choose who our provincial and municipal laws apply to.
- This proposal puts vulnerable communities and Indigenous people at risk by enabling the executive branch of the government to unilaterally do away with legal safeguards, paving the way for corporations to bypass labour and environmental laws.
- This proposal leaves the door open to use beyond the stated goal, which is protect Ontario’s industry, mitigate the impact of trade disruptions and ensure long-term prosperity and security of the economy. There are no criteria that focus “designated project” or “special economic zones” on activities or projects that would provide said protection (such as replacing U.S. imports with domestic production, connecting Ontario producers with new markets or replacing U.S. demand for raw material). Rather, this act gives unprecedented powers to Provincial Cabinet to allow corporations or individuals within special economic zones to be exempt from laws and by-laws with no limits, rules or public input.

Thank you for taking these comments into consideration.