The passage of the sweeping legislation is sure to inflame already-fraught tensions with First Nations. One of the most contested aspects is its creation of “special economic zones,” where the government can establish a zone, and then exempt certain companies or projects inside it from having to comply with certain provincial laws or regulations, or municipal bylaws. It also slashes several of Ontario’s endangered species protections and shelters the government from some lawsuits.
But that was only one controversial moment, in a week stuffed full of ’em.
The Doug Ford government also moved forward legislation that blocks municipal green building standards meant to reduce emissions from construction, heating and air conditioning — a particularly stunning about-face after defending the efforts of cities to fight climate change by implementing higher standards just a few years ago.
Government officials tabled another bill promising to prioritize data centres and order the electricity regulator and operator to focus on economic growth. And they tabled a third bill the government advertised as part of an attempt to “streamline” mine tailings facilities.
Oh, and the budget, which cuts Ontario’s emergency preparedness funds, bans congestion pricing and continues the premier’s fixation with cracking down on bike lanes, also passed.
Here’s what happened over a big week at Queen’s Park.