I'm writing to express my…

I'm writing to express my concerns about the proposed Special Economic Zones Act, 2025, which will give the provincial government (specifically the executive branch of government, via the Minister) the power to override any perceived impediments to "sanctioned" projects and those put forward by "entrusted project proponents." I have read over the information provided on this site, and it seems to me that both the scope and criteria of what is to be designated as a special zone, and who or what exactly the "entrusted project proponents" would be, are incredibly vague (actually the bill is silent on these questions). This is disturbing as the bill gives the government such wide-ranging powers while leaving to an unspecified later date any replacement regulations or even criteria that may be put into place. The province already has extensive powers vis-a-vis municipalities, local governing bodies on all levels, and regional authorities - powers which this particular government has proven time and time again it is willing to exert to the fullest, whether this be the proliferate use of MZO's, gutting the powers of local conservation authorities, or restructuring city councils. While Bill 5 is being rushed through the legislature as part of the very wide-ranging and multi-faceted omnibus legislation "Protect Ontario by Unleashing the Economy" act (Bill 5), it is not clear how the creation of these economic zones will "protect Ontario" when it allows various elite actors (to be determined by the Minister) to completely ignore the protections and regulations that currently exist to ensure this province remains livable and democratic. Especially egregious here is that the bill not only enables the province to overrule any municipal bylaws, existing provincial laws and regulations (including environmental regulations and protections for our air, water, wetlands, farmlands, and biodiversity), but it extends "protections" to the state itself, specifically granting itself immunity from legal action or financial compensation in cases where "modifications" have occurred. If this Bill is in the public interest, as it is being portrayed by the provincial government, why the lack of transparency? Why is the government granting itself immunity? Why is there no specific information about the criteria to be used to designate either a "special economic zone" or the status of an "entrusted proponent")? Aside from the concrete impacts of the creation of these "special economic zones" - which will give "entrusted" developers free reign over the land, the laws and all those living within their designated "zone" - they constitute an appalling overreach on the part of the province, which is effectively putting itself above the law