Bill 5 Update – Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

On Oct. 2, following a summer full of protests, the provincial government released their outline for the controversial “special economic zones” (SEZs) as part of Bill 5. These new guidelines continue to bypass the concerns of First Nations and many Ontarians. On October 20th, Ontario Nature, Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence, National Farmers Union – Ontario and the Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario presented a legislative petition calling for the repeal of Bill 5.

Learn more about Bill 5 here

How Bill 5 Can Impact You

Residents in Dresden Ontario (near Sarnia) already feel the impacts. The Dresden landfill, only 500 meters from the town and near important waterways, has been exempted from an environmental assessment. Despite residents’ requests, the project was also exempted from a federal impact assessment by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC).

^{Modified Image from Chatham Daily News “Chatham-Kent continues to pursue federal review of Dresden dump plan“}

SEZs – Silencing the Public

SEZs remove public consultation requirements and favour “trusted proponents” that the Minister selects, effectively removing input from First Nations and Ontarians. The proposed rules outline a short list for the Minister to consider when making decisions and does not propose any other body that would depoliticize the process.

Excluding Indigenous Voices

The proposed rules for the SEZs do not include Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the regulations. Some Indigenous groups were not invited to provide feedback, while others were coping with wildfires while these meetings occurred.

Threatening Wildlife

SEZs threaten endangered species, like polar bears, and makes it harder to protect the environment.
Bill 5 adds legislation that,

Narrows the definition of habitat so feeding and migration areas may not be protected, and
the conservation status (such as endangered) of species may be ignored.

What can you do? Speak up before the next SEZ comes to your backyard

Learn more – read the Narwhal
Go go Environmental Registry of Ontario and submit your comments on the proposed SEZ criteria. Deadline: Nov. 16
Join the Southwestern Ontario movement for the repeal of Bill 5, order a lawn sign and take action repealbill5.ca
Contact your MPP
- Find your MPP and their contact information here: https://www.ola.org/en/members/current
- Sign these petitions (tip: alter the wording so the email cannot be filtered)

“If the pursuit of economic growth undermines labour rights, tramples environmental safeguards and sidelines Indigenous communities, we are setting ourselves up for long-term problems. That’s not prosperity — it’s a regulatory race to the bottom.” (https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-special-economic-zones-global/)

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