Overview

• Draft regulations define a zone as any geographically bounded area in Ontario where strategic economic activity is occurring or proposed.
• Proposed project criteria include significant and long‑term provincial benefits such as jobs, supply‑chain development and GDP impact, with an emphasis on a high likelihood of success.
• The consultation explicitly asks whether low‑probability, high‑impact 'moon‑shot' proposals should qualify for special consideration.
• Under Bill 5, cabinet can suspend specific provincial and municipal laws within designated zones, though all laws remain in force unless exemptions are made by regulation.
• The government cites the need to accelerate critical‑minerals and infrastructure projects in response to trade pressures, while opponents question guardrails and highlight concerns around potential uses like a Highway 401 tunnel.