US EditionAdvocacy groups file constitutional challenge of Ontario’s Special Economic Zones Act
Ecojustice says the law gives cabinet unchecked power to suspend provincial and municipal rules and violates the Constitution, with mines among the projects cited.
- On Wednesday, Ecojustice filed a constitutional challenge against Ontario's Special Economic Zones Act on behalf of Democracy Watch, Environmental Defence Canada, the Wildlands League, and Friends of the Earth Canada.
- Passed last year as Bill 5, the legislation allows the cabinet to suspend any provincial or municipal law for entities deemed "trusted proponents," aiming to accelerate infrastructure projects amid U.S. tariff pressures.
- Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, called the law "dangerously undemocratic," while Ecojustice lawyer Lindsay Beck said it functions like a "Henry VIII clause, but on steroids," lacking essential judicial guardrails.
- Jennifer Cunliffe, a spokesperson for Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli, defended the law as cutting red tape while maintaining "stringent safeguards" for environmental protection.
- Beck hopes the Ontario Superior Court will hear the case before year's end, with potential implications for other provinces considering similar special economic zone legislation.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Ford faces fresh court challenge against special economic zones
Ecojustice, on behalf of Democracy Watch, Environmental Defence Canada, Friends of the Earth Canada and Wildlands League, announced Wednesday it is launching a court case challenging the Special Economic Zones Act, contained in Bill 5.
Ford government's 'special economic zones' law facing constitutional challenge
Ontario passed Bill 5, which included the special economic zone provision, last year in a bid to speed up approval and construction of large projects like mines. The provision allows cabinet and the environment minister to suspend any and all provincial and municipal laws within such zones as they see fit.
The Toronto Star
The Hamilton SpectatorDoug Ford’s Bill 5 called a ‘dangerously undemocratic’ law as legal challenge is launched
Filed on March 31 in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the application questions the "constitutional validity of the Special Economic Zones Act."
Midland Today
Environmental groups launch constitutional challenge over Ontario's special economic zones
TORONTO — Several environmental groups have launched a constitutional challenge seeking to kill an Ontario law that allows cabinet to suspend other laws.
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