By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
As I’ve said many times, being your independent MPP gives me the liberty to say, do, speak, vote according to what you, the taxpayer, advise. I do not believe there should be a monopoly on a good idea at Queen’s Park, or anywhere. I always look at legislation with an eye on whether or not it’s beneficial to Haldimand-Norfolk.
When I vote against government bills, some of my PC colleagues tsk tsk me in a joking manner. In most cases I am sure if given the opportunity, they too would vote down bills brought forward by their leader. I am also certain a few government members are uncomfortable with one of the latest pieces of legislation, Bill 5, An Act to enact the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025, to amend the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and to replace it with the Species Conservation Act, 2025, and to amend various Acts and revoke various regulations in relation to development and procurement. That’s a mouthful!
It seems complicated but I’ll try to break down some of the concerning parts of the legislation. Many of you asked or commented on sections of the bill, with the majority focusing on Schedule 9, which enacts the Special Economic Zones Act 2025. It permits the Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade to excuse “trusted proponents” and “designated projects” within “special economic zones” from complying with provincial and municipal laws.
Trusted proponents, designated projects, special economic zones are not defined in the Act but will be entrusted to Cabinet’s discretion. This is downright scary when we have already seen the heavy hand of this government when it comes to development – think Greenbelt, Wilmot Township and closer to home, we are anxiously awaiting whether this government will continue to abuse the powers of the Ministers Zoning Order which would see a city built at Nanticoke.
The way I see it, legal safeguards will be removed, leaving communities vulnerable to friends of this government to bypass labour and environmental laws.
Let us look at Schedule 3 of the bill that specifically exempts the Chatham-Kent Waste Disposal Site from environmental assessment. The plan for this site would see upwards of 6,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste a day arriving to the site, operating 24/7 – this is surreal. One year ago, the Minister of the Environment said the site would face a “comprehensive environmental assessment.”
Likewise, Premier Doug Ford, while in Windsor last March, was questioned by a reporter on the proposal to which he said he had no knowledge of the proposal. The Premier said he would get back to the reporter on the proposal but added he “believes in the people. If the people like something, we do it, if they do not, we don’t do it. It’s about as simple as that.”
What has changed over the past year? The owners of the landfill site have changed – more on that in the days to come.
Today, the Premier is using Donald Trump as the convenient excuse speculating the President might turn back Ontario waste trucks from entering Michigan. I understand the concern of requiring expanded landfill in Ontario but why does this legislation name only one landfill – if it is truly about expanding capacity, why not look at all sites in the province?
In the days ahead I will be speaking out on Bill 5. Focus Ontario interviewed me on May 8th so watch for that on Global.
Bill 5 has been referred to the Standing Committee on the Interior, I encourage you to have your say. Please visit this link: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/committees/interior/parliament-44/notice-hearings/2025-may-26-notice-hearings-standing-committee-interior
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk