Unleashing Corporate Greed, Not Ontario's Potential

Originally published on June 9th, 2025 on Substack.

Ford's Bill 5 is yet another stalking horse for unfettered crony capitalism.

Doug Ford's Bill 5, deceptively titled the "Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025" is a direct assault on our environment, on Indigenous rights, on workers' protections, and on local democracy. This legislation is not a path to prosperity but a dangerous blueprint for a corporate free-for-all. Neither is Bill 5 likely to pass the test as a “nation-building project”. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has already suggested “Ten Trump proof nation building projects" worth considering ahead of Bill 5.

At the heart of Bill 5 is the power for Ford's cabinet to declare "Special Economic Zones" (SEZs) anywhere in Ontario. Within these zones, the government can waive provincial laws, regulations, and municipal bylaws for specific companies or projects. The term "Special Economic Zone" itself isn't new; the first SEZs appeared in the late 1950s in industrialised nations like Ireland, designed to attract foreign investment, often through tax breaks and looser regulations. China later used SEZs extensively to draw in foreign capital. However, what Ford proposes isn't about thoughtful economic development; it's about creating sacrifice zones where corporate interests take precedence over everything else.

A Slap in the Face to Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation

Ford has already signalled his intent to designate the Ring of Fire as Ontario's first SEZ. This region, rich in minerals but ecologically vital and the heart of Treaty 9 territory, cannot become a testing ground for overriding Indigenous rights. Many First Nations leaders have rightly decried Bill 5 as violating their treaty rights. The bill was rammed through without the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of affected First Nations – a core principle of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Canada has endorsed. Consulting after the power to create these zones is already law is not consultation; it's a sham. We must stand in solidarity with First Nations, such as Neskantaga and Attawapiskat, and others who courageously oppose this colonial approach and demand their right to self-determination and meaningful consent regarding any development in their territories.

Fueling the Climate Crisis, Not a Green Transition

The Ring of Fire isn't just a mining prospect; it's part of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, home to vast peatlands – the second-largest continuous expanse of northern peatland on Earth. These peatlands are colossal carbon sinks, storing an estimated 150 billion tonnes of carbon in Canada alone. Disturbing them for mining, facilitated by SEZ exemptions, would release enormous amounts of greenhouse gases, accelerating the climate emergency. It isn't a "green" transition if we destroy critical ecosystems and carbon stores to get so-called "critical minerals." Furthermore, Bill 5 undermines the Endangered Species Act, allowing politicians to disregard scientific advice, and weakens environmental assessment processes across the province. This is a direct contradiction to any serious climate action.

Workers and Communities: Sacrificed at the Altar of Deregulation

While Ford's officials offer verbal assurances that labour laws won't be touched in SEZs, the legislation itself is "wide-open," allowing exemptions from any provincial law. This is a recipe for eroding hard-won workers' rights, safety standards, and fair wages. It's an invitation for a race to the bottom. Remember Bill 2 and the assault on nurses and health care workers? Moreover, by allowing the province to override municipal bylaws, Bill 5 silences local communities and democratically elected councils, opening the door to "shady backroom deals."

A Better Path Forward: Resistance and a Just Alternative

Unless you are a full-throated climate change denier and corporate shill, the following should be top of mind:

• Demanding the Full Repeal of Bill 5: This legislation is fundamentally flawed and poses a significant danger.
• Upholding Indigenous Sovereignty: Insist on fully implementing UNDRIP, including FPIC, and respecting Treaty Rights in all decisions—no development without consent.
• Champion Real Climate Action: Protect our vital carbon sinks, such as peatlands. Invest in a truly just transition rooted in renewable energy and Green New Deal principles, not destructive extraction.
• Defend Workers and Local Democracy: Fight for ironclad protections for labour rights and ensure communities have the final say on what happens in their backyards.

The fight against Bill 5 is a fight for Ontario's soul. It’s about choosing a future where people and planet come before corporate profit. Let's organise, mobilise, and make our voices heard. Our collective future depends on it.