Overview
- The Ford government released draft criteria to guide designations under Bill 5, which lets cabinet fast‑track projects by suspending certain provincial or municipal laws.
- Consultation documents explicitly ask whether low‑likelihood, high‑impact 'moon‑shot' projects should qualify, with the long‑touted Highway 401 tunnel not ruled out.
- Proposed project criteria include significant long‑term economic benefits, community gains, a high likelihood of success, and fulfillment of the duty to consult Indigenous peoples.
- Officials say all laws apply by default within any designated zone, with any exemptions to be set later on a case‑by‑case basis through regulation.
- The province cites outreach to more than 130 Indigenous communities, while leaders such as Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler dispute being consulted and opposition parties warn of opaque 'no law zones.'