TorontoOntario Premier Doug Ford’s government is consulting on a draft of the criteria for designating special economic zones, part of the controversial Bill 5, which the government has said is necessary to speed up construction of large infrastructure projects in a time of economic uncertainty.Power to designate parts of province as special economic zones created in controversial Bill 5Allison Jones · The Canadian Press · Posted: Oct 02, 2025 2:25 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 2Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government is consulting on a draft of the criteria for designating special economic zones. It’s part of the controversial Bill 5 the government has said is necessary to speed up construction of large infrastructure projects in a time of economic uncertainty. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government is moving ahead with its plan to create so-called special economic zones to push forward projects it deems important, and is considering including “moon shot” ideas to qualify.The power to designate parts of the province as special economic zones was created in the controversial Bill 5, a law the government says is necessary to speed up construction of large infrastructure projects, particularly mines, in a time of global economic uncertainty.The law allows cabinet to suspend provincial and municipal laws in special economic zones, and the province is now consulting on a draft of the criteria for designating specific zones, projects and project proponents.The proposed criteria for projects include having significant and long-term benefits for Ontario, strengthening local communities and having a high likelihood of success.However, the government is also contemplating whether projects unlikely to succeed should be included, asking as a question in the consultations: “Should potentially important ‘moon shot’ projects be put forward if they could have enormous impact, even if they have a low likelihood of success?”The consultation documents stress that all laws will continue to apply in a special economic zone until specific ones are exempted through regulationWrong way to speed up construction, says NDP leaderNDP Leader Marit Stiles said the government’s proposals are heading in the wrong direction.”We need to build and move projects along,” she wrote in a statement.”If there’s red tape, then let’s fix it. But gutting the rules for a select few is not how you build trust and strengthen our economy. What guardrails are there to stop Ford from bending the rules to push through ridiculous ‘moon shot’ projects like his 401 tunnel?”Ford wants to build a three-level tunnel under Highway 401 for both vehicles and transit.Ontario has issued a request for proposals for a tunnel feasibility study and has not yet selected a proponent but the government appears to be forging ahead with plans.Ford has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to put it on his list of projects in the national interest to help accelerate it, but Carney has so far not done that or indicated publicly any support for the project.
Ontario asks if ‘moon shot’ projects should go ahead under special economic zone law
