Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has passed Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, a wide-ranging piece of legislation that introduces new powers under the Special Economic Zones Act and sets the stage for sweeping changes to environmental, heritage, and development rules across the province.
“With President Trump taking aim at our economy, this landmark legislation will speed up approvals for projects so we can get shovels in the ground to create more jobs and deliver billions of dollars in prosperity,” Premier Doug Ford wrote on X after the vote.
The legislation allows the provincial cabinet to designate “special economic zones” — areas where cabinet can exempt specific projects or companies from provincial laws, regulations, and even local bylaws. Federal laws would still apply, but within these zones, the provincial government could fast-track developments without adhering to Ontario’s usual planning and environmental rules.
The government says the changes are designed to accelerate major infrastructure and resource development projects, including in the Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich region in Northern Ontario, as well as initiatives like a proposed tunnel expressway under Highway 401 and new GO Transit rail lines.
“These are important projects,” Ford said, citing the need for Ontario to remain competitive in the face of economic pressures and trade threats from the United States. “We do two things: we can sit back and basically watch our economy die and jobs being lost, or we can move forward, work collaboratively with the stakeholders, along with Indigenous communities — and everyone thrives.”
The bill also introduces the Species Conservation Act, which will eventually replace Ontario’s existing Endangered Species Act. Critics, including environmental groups, warn the new law will weaken protections for at-risk wildlife. Other parts of Bill 5 amend laws governing heritage preservation, energy, and mining, with the aim of streamlining or removing what the government sees as duplicate or outdated approval processes.
Opposition parties — the New Democrats, Liberals, Greens, and the legislature’s lone Independent MPP — strongly opposed the bill. They argue that the sweeping powers granted to cabinet represent a dangerous overreach that undermines local governance, public oversight, and environmental stewardship.
Many Indigenous leaders and environmental groups including the David Suzuki Foundation have also condemned the bill, saying the new powers could allow the province to sidestep Treaty rights and meaningful consultation. Some have warned that if used aggressively, the legislation could spark protests, blockades, or a renewed Idle No More movement.
Environmental and Indigenous groups say they will challenge Bill 5 in court.
“I hope it won’t end up in the courts,” Ford said Wednesday, maintaining Bill 5 is needed to cut red tape, reduce delays, and get critical projects built faster. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
The legislation passed with the full support of the Progressive Conservative majority in the legislature, although the premier was absent.