Some First Nations and environmental groups are speaking out against the bill designed to speed up mining projects.
They are calling it an attack on democracy, the environment and Indigenous rights.
Grand Chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, Joel Abram, says they are concerned with the powers made available to the Ministry of Energy and Mines to authorize and deny mining leases, overriding the current system used.
“First Nations are frozen out of critical decisions and without their participation, mining projects will increasingly face resistance, delay and legal challenge,” says Abram.
The creation of Special Economic Zones is of most concern to the opponents.
They say it allows Ontario to declare any area a deregulated zone without limits, safeguards or consultation.
Duff Conacher, the co-founder of Democracy Watch, says sections of the act also give cabinet the power to change any provincial law within the zone and bar lawsuits challenging the decisions.
“Overall, Bill 5 is a mad Trump-like power grab that will lead to boondoggles,” says Conacher.
“It’s dangerously undemocratic, and it gives the Ford Cabinet and Premier Ford king-like powers to override and change provincial laws and shields them from any liability for any of their abuses of power. It will lead to boondoggles and the corruption and waste that always comes along with boondoggles.”
The group plans to voice their concerns to the government when public meetings on the proposed legislation are held at the end of the month.
