Eagle Lake First Nation …

Eagle Lake First Nation (ELFN) strongly opposes the proposed Special Economic Zones Act, 2025. This Act would allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to exempt “trusted proponents” from almost any provincial or municipal law within a designated economic zone—including environmental, cultural, and planning laws.

These zones can be established with no consultation or consent from affected First Nations, which raises direct concerns for ELFN, whose traditional territory lies within the area of potential influence of these resource developments.

The ability to bypass all laws and policies—including those that trigger consultation—represents a direct threat to our inherent rights and responsibilities. It contravenes:

Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;

UNDRIP, especially Articles 19 and 32 (FPIC regarding legislative and resource development decisions).

Bill 5 places economic expediency above Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and legal due process. We urge Ontario to withdraw the Special Economic Zones proposal and replace it with a co-developed framework that respects the jurisdiction and stewardship of First Nations.