I am a resident of London,…

I am a resident of London, ON, incredibly proud of this BEAUTIFUL and RARE ecoregion I live in, and the beauty of Southwest Ontario that is often undervalued compared to other provinces! I work as a landscaper and horticulturist. I have recently become a birder, and found out why people come from all over the world to Ontario: the vital migration pathway we hold for millions of birds necessary to ecosystems across North, Central, and South America! We MUST listen to our experts, protect what we have left and continue to work within the standards we have created for development. Bill 5 and the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 is an irreversible move backwards.

I speak for myself, my family, and my community when I say we strongly oppose the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025. We call upon the government to find another way, within the current Endangered Species Act and within our current laws and regulations, to protect its industries, mitigate the impact of trade disruptions, and ensure the long-term prosperity and security of the economy.

It is not streamlining, but rather giving executive power to the cabinet which is not lawful or democratic. To give the Lieutenant Governor in Council full power to choose these zones. To ensure that no legal action can be taking against the government for decision making with respect to these zones leaves them entirely exempt from accountability and critique. This is unacceptable. And dangerous.

The terms "treated proponents", "designated projects", and "special economic zones" are not well defined, nor is the criteria for which they will be designated. We cannot accept a proposal with undefined terms.

This proposal does not clearly identify what permitting process will be applied to these areas, what the oversight will be, or where and to whom they will be accountable.

There is no indication that ESAs, Conservations Areas, Provincial Parks, Trusts, or any designated protected areas will not be designated "special economic zones" and developed.

We chose the laws and regulations we have in place to protect the land, animals, watersheds, and our own health. We chose a process of permits and oversight.
Under Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 , that process is replaced by an online registration form.

Once a company clicks “submit,” they’re free to start building. No review, no obligation to consider safer alternatives. This process leaves no clear path to accommodating the constitutional rights of Indigenous people or protecting biodiversity. The registry is not required to be public.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige has been very clear in her opposition to the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025. If we are removing indigenous consultation, treaty agreements, and potentially historic sites and burial grounds, we are not serving the people of Ontario and we are acting against ours and Canada's commitment to reconciliation.

It is a resounding NO, to Special Economic Zones Act, 2025. We, as citizens of this province, do not give Lieutenant Governor in Council this executive power. We can do much, much better to support ourselves and our industries.

To quote Ontario Nature: "If anything, Premier Ford should strengthen endangered species protection so wildlife can flourish and communities can benefit from conservation. That doesn’t mean stopping all development. It means building strong local economies that are in harmony with nature, not in conflict with nature."