Ontario is paving the way for Premier Doug Ford’s controversial “special economic zones” in 2026 amid other changes that include making life tougher for impaired drivers and easier for skilled workers moving here.
Stepping up the push to fast-track development to offset economic damage from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, new regulations taking effect Jan. 1 let the province bypass local and provincial rules for “trusted proponents and projects.”
But critics are worried protections for the environment, workers, wildlife, endangered species, Indigenous communities and their treaties will be watered down in what they dub “no law” zones.
