I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed Special Economic Zones Act, 2025. While economic growth and efficiency are important goals, this legislation risks bypassing critical safeguards that protect our environment, democratic processes, and local communities.

By allowing the Ontario government to designate areas as “special economic zones” with simplified rules and accelerated approvals, this act opens the door to weakened environmental regulations, reduced public consultation, and diminished oversight. Fast-tracking development may benefit select private interests, but it often comes at the expense of long-term sustainability, community input, and public trust.

Projects that impact land, water, air, and ecosystems must be subject to full and transparent scrutiny—especially in areas deemed “critical” to Ontario’s economy or security. Local residents, Indigenous communities, and environmental experts must have a voice in shaping what happens in their own backyards. Creating a parallel regulatory system that shortcuts these processes sets a dangerous precedent.

This proposal prioritizes speed over substance and economic gain over democratic rights. Ontario should focus on building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy—not on undermining the very protections that safeguard our collective future.

I urge the government to reject the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 and instead invest in economic strategies that respect communities, uphold environmental responsibility, and strengthen—not weaken—public oversight.