"Several environmental groups have launched a constitutional challenge seeking to kill an Ontario law that allows cabinet to suspend other laws. Wildlands League, Environmental Defence Canada, Friends of the Earth Canada and Democracy Watch allege Ontario's special economic zone law wrongly abdicates power from the legislature and gives it to cabinet, thereby violating the Constitution."
"The provision allows cabinet and the environment minister to suspend any and all provincial and municipal laws within such zones as they see fit. The province has said the aim is to speed up the approval and construction of large projects, including mines."
"Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government passed Bill 5, which included the special economic zone provision, last year. Ford has said he will designate Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport as a special economic zone as he plans to expand it to allow jets to operate there."
Ontario's Bill 5 has faced significant criticism from opposition parties, environmental groups, and Indigenous leaders. The legislation includes a provision that allows the cabinet to suspend provincial and municipal laws within designated special economic zones. Environmental groups, including Wildlands League and Environmental Defence Canada, have launched a constitutional challenge against this law, arguing it violates the Constitution by transferring legislative power to the cabinet. The government claims the law aims to expedite large project approvals, such as the expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport for jet operations.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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