Ontario’s “Special Economic Zones”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Ontario’s “Special Economic Zones” - A Dangerous Blow to Democracy and Environmental Protection

Toronto, ON – Earthroots is raising the alarm over a deeply troubling move by the Ontario government. The recently passed Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 grants Cabinet the power to designate zones where a “trusted proponent” or a designated project can be exempted from any provincial law or regulation—including environmental protections—without approval from the Legislature.

“This legislation hands Cabinet the ability to suspend environmental laws at will, behind closed doors,” said Gord Miller, Chair of Earthroots and former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. “It’s not only dangerous—it’s profoundly anti-democratic.”

The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) has posted a draft regulation under the Environmental Bill ofRights (EBR) Registry (ERO #025-1077) to explain how these Special Economic Zones might be designated. However, the posting itself contains an alarming disclaimer:  “MEDJCT is not currently required to post any regulatory proposals under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025.”

“In other words,” Miller warns, “the government is claiming it doesn’t have to tell the public anything at all. One of the most sweeping and consequential environmental decisions in decades is being shielded from mandatory consultation. That’s unacceptable.”

Under the Environmental Bill of Rights Act, 1994, ministries are required to notify the public about proposals that could affect the environment and invite public comment. This transparency is a cornerstone of environmental democracy in Ontario. MEDJCT is indeed listed under O. Reg.73/94 as a ministry subject to the EBR’s requirements—but the Special Economic Zones Act has not yet been formally prescribed under the regulation.

“That omission is not an accident,” Miller explains. “It’s a technical loophole that allows the government to avoid accountability. Until Cabinet updates O. Reg. 73/94 to include the new law, meaningful consultation can be sidestepped.”

Earthroots warns that this approach reflects a troubling pattern: rapid-fire legislative changes that weaken oversight, diminish transparency, and erode public trust.

“This government is moving fast and breaking everything—especially the systems designed to protect the environment and democracy,” said Miller. “Ontarians have a right to know when their laws—and their voices—are being by passed.”

Earthroots is calling on the government to:

• Immediately prescribe the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 under O. Reg. 73/94 to ensure mandatory public consultation under the EBR;
• Commit to full transparency about where these zones will be located, how large they will be, and who qualifies as a “trusted proponent”;
• Guarantee that no environmental protections will be suspended without legislative debate and public input.

“Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights was created to ensure transparency and accountability,” said Miller. “Now more than ever, we must defend it!”

Media Contact:

Name: Barbara Steinhoff

Email: Barbara@earthroots.org

Phone: 647-938-9053

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