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TORONTO \u2014 Ontario Premier Doug Ford\u2019s government is moving ahead with its plan to create so-called special economic zones to push forward projects it deems important, and is considering including \u201cmoon shot\u201d ideas to qualify.<\/p>\n
The power to designate parts of the province as special economic zones was created in the controversial Bill 5, a law the government says is necessary to speed up construction of large infrastructure projects, particularly mines, in a time of global economic uncertainty.<\/p>\n
The law allows cabinet to suspend provincial and municipal laws in special economic zones, and the province is now consulting on a draft of the criteria for designating specific zones, projects and project proponents.<\/p>\n
The proposed criteria for projects include having significant and long-term benefits for Ontario, strengthening local communities and having a high likelihood of success.<\/p>\n
However, the government is also contemplating whether projects unlikely to succeed should be included, asking as a question in the consultations: \u201cShould potentially important \u2018moon shot\u2019 projects be put forward if they could have enormous impact, even if they have a low likelihood of success?\u201d<\/p>\n
The consultation documents stress that all laws will continue to apply in a special economic zone until specific ones are exempted through regulation.<\/p>\n
\u00a92025 The Canadian Press<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n