Ontario’s proposed ‘special economic zones’ are antidemocratic power grab, opponents warn

Legislation that would allow the Ontario government to suspend any provincial law – including environmental or labour rules – in designated “special economic zones” is an antidemocratic power grab, say First Nations leaders, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, opposition politicians and environmentalists.Premier Doug Ford has said his government’s Bill 5, which passed second reading on Tuesday at Queen’s Park and now heads before a legislative committee, is needed to speed up sluggish mining approvals for critical-mineral projects in the province’s northern region, known as the Ring of Fire.