In an article in ݮƵ Region Record, co-Principal Investigator Rebecca Rooney and Lead Principal Investigator Michael Drescher express concerns over the implications of special economic zones under Ontario’s recently-passed Bill 5 “Protect Ontario By Unleashing our Economy Act”.
While the new bill is meant to spur economic growth by allowing the provincial government to bypass provincial laws or municipal bylaws in “special economic zones”, Rebecca warns that it could wreak havoc on local ecosystems as those zones would be exempt from permits, studies or consultations.
For example, developments on wetlands would be able to proceed without consultations with First Nations or any studies or permits – things that normally would be required for development to proceed.
Both Rebecca and Michael express concern over what the new bill means for endangered species and ecosystems in the province. Without consultations, studies or permit requirements, the province is doing away with important mechanisms that were in place to protect endangered species and habitat.
Bill 5 also replaces Ontario’s Endangered Species Act with the Species Conservation Act. Michael points to changes in definitions of habitat that put endangered species’ habitat at risk, threatening their primary sources of food.
With so many unknowns arising from Bill 5, Rebecca has coined this new scenario a veritable “Wild West” for local ecosystems and is wary of what’s to come, noting that past mistakes have cost the province billions of dollars to clean up.
Prof. Michael Drescher (left) and Prof. Rebecca Rooney (right).
A wetland pond near a residential development in Kitchener, Ontario. Photo credit: Liahm Ruest.