Here’s what the bill actually does: it lets the premier designate any piece of land in Ontario a “special economic zone.” Inside that zone, Ford and his cabinet can override any provincial law — environmental, labour, planning — you name it. They can then invite businesses to operate on terms they alone define. In effect, cabinet gets to pick which laws apply, to whom and where.

What could go wrong? Consider this: a politically connected developer wants to build on environmentally sensitive land. Community members oppose it. Laws protect it. But now, the premier can designate it a “special economic zone,” sidestep those laws and green light the project. There is no public appeal. No independent review.

[–] MakingWork@lemmy.ca 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I think it will be primarily used for enabling mining companies to mine and do what they please while ignoring Indigenous rights, environmental concerns, and so on.

See ring of fire.

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

He can also deliver on his promise to develop the greenbelt

[–] teppa@piefed.ca -4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The ring of fire is mining, which is required for EV, which is the "green" industry of the future they are always talking about. We build lithium batteries for EV and renewable usage; which displaces oil usage, which removes smog, and hopefully should be more efficient in the long term.

Indigenous have their hands out for free cash as they always do, and that kills this industry like it does everything else in Canada. Hence why we are second to last in per capita GDP growth in the entire OECD. How poor do we need to be before some cynicism kicks in and we stop cosplaying, this is peoples livelihoods we're wrecking.

[–] FireRetardant@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

We can build mines for EVs without disrespecting indigenous rights and ignoring environmental concerns that future generations will pay the price for.

[–] tane2@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

This reads like mining industry press release propaganda 100% lmao

[–] FireRetardant@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It could be used as a framework for labor camps where people are paid dirt cheap wages and offered compensation in the form of shitty on site accommodations. They could let a foriegn investor build a factory to their nation's standards (or no standards at all) and apply loose labor laws to their workers. This is extreme, but somewhat possible under this legislation.