ARTICLE · 27 JUNE 2025

Ontario's SEZs: A Legislative Power Grab Endangering Indigenous Rights And The Environment

JFK Law LLP

Contributor

JFK Law LLP

Moving Nations Forward. At JFK Law, it’s what we stand for, and what we work every day to support....

View firm profile

Explore more from JFK Law LLP

Ontario's Bill 5, the "Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025,"[1] has unleashed a torrent of criticism.

CanadaEnvironment

Katherine Getler

Author LinkedIn connections

Part Two: Unpacking the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025

Ontario's Bill 5, the "Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025,"¹ has unleashed a torrent of criticism. While the government champions it as a tool for economic revitalization, this post focuses on Schedule 9: the "Special Economic Zones Act, 2025."² This legislation doesn't just tweak existing laws; it threatens to radically reshape Ontario's legal landscape, concentrating unprecedented power within the executive and creating severe risks for Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship.

1. The Special Economic Zones Act: Unprecedented Executive Power

Schedule 9 of Bill 5 introduces the "Special Economic Zones Act, 2025". This new Act empowers the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) to designate vast swathes of Ontario as "special economic zones" (SEZs).³ Within these zones, the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade gains the authority to handpick "trusted proponents"

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Ontario's SEZs: A Legislative Power Grab Endangering Indigenous Rights And The Environment

Part Two: Unpacking the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025

1. The Special Economic Zones Act: Unprecedented Executive Power

Related Articles

Legislative Update Report No. 2026-21 Le Bulletin D’Actualités Législatives

Saskatchewan Joins The Queue: Draft Cooperation Agreement Signals Next Steps Toward “One Project, One Review”

Plan For The Ban: Supreme Court Of Canada Will Hear Appeal Challenging Order Underlying Canada’s Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulation

REP en Ontario : resserrement des règles sur les pneus et fin du plafond de 1 M$ pour les pénalités

Proposed Environmental Penalties: What Businesses Should Know

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

Environment

Environmental, Social and Governance

See more popular content from

Federal Government Publishes Notice Requiring PFAS Information And Updates Its Draft State Of PFAS And Risk Management Scope Reports

Canada Enacts New Prohibitions Of Certain PFAS And Other Chemicals Under Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

Canada's Final PFAS Report Is Here

Canada Announces Mandatory PFAS Reporting Rule

Canada Concludes PFAS "Forever Chemicals" Are Toxic: What You Need To Know

Mandatory Survey For Manufacturers, Importers And Users Of PFAS

Federal Government To Announce Proposed Measures For Streamlining Project Approvals

Canada Catching Up On Regulation Of PFAS Substances

New Triggers Requiring Site Disclosure Statements: BC Rolls Out A New Contaminated Sites Regime

Federal Government Seeks Input On Draft PFAS Report And Risk Management Scope

Looking Beyond Reserve Lands: What Opaskwayak Cree Nation v. Canada Means For First Nations

The DULF Case: A Landmark Constitutional Challenge To Canada’s Drug Laws

One Year, One Consultation, One Decision: Overview Of The New Building Canada Strong Act (Bill C-39)

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Approves Ontario Final Agreement On Long‑Term Reform Of First Nations Child And Family Services

Treaty Rights And Alberta Separatism: The Crown’s Duty To Consult In Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation v Alberta (Chief Electoral Officer)

Canada’s Proposed Alberta-to-B.C. Pipeline: Key Legal And Practical Considerations For Indigenous Communities

In Landmark Cowichan Tribes Decision, BC Supreme Court Addresses Coexistence Of Aboriginal Title And Private Property

Beyond C-5: Upcoming New Bill To Fast-Track Federal Approval For All Major Projects

Cowichan Tribes: Insights On Establishing Aboriginal Title

What The WestJet Class Action Achieved – And Why It Matters