Ontarians have just lost core democratic protections — and few realize it

Toronto Star

7 hours ago

Shortly after 4 p.m. on June 4, Ontario took a sharp turn away from democracy. That's when Bill 5, ironically titled the 'Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,' became law.
Marketed as a way to protect jobs and respond to Trump -era tariffs, this legislation quietly hands Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet sweeping new powers. In a paradoxical twist, the premier has adopted elements of the Trump playbook — consolidating power, overriding laws and sidelining oversight — all while claiming to be protecting Ontario from Trump-style politics.
Let's be clear: no one is claiming that Premier Ford is Trump. But Bill 5 echoes tactics associated with Trumpism — the centralization of authority, the bypassing of laws and norms, and the creation of opaque zones of exception. These are not just procedural changes. They represent a profound shift in how power operates in Ontario.
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Most Ontarians likely haven't heard much about Bill 5 — thanks to slick messaging from the premier's office. The limited coverage has mostly focused on opposition from First Nations leaders. But behind that, something more fundamental has changed. Ontarians have just lost core democratic protections — and few realize it.
Here's what the bill actually does: it lets the premier designate any piece of land in Ontario a 'special economic zone.' Inside that zone, Ford and his cabinet can override any provincial law — environmental, labour, planning — you name it. They can then invite businesses to operate on terms they alone define. In effect, cabinet gets to pick which laws apply, to whom and where.
That's not red tape reduction. That's rule-of-law suspension.
Ford insists the bill is a necessary economic weapon against U.S. protectionism. He claims that cutting through bureaucracy will boost investment and jobs. But let's be honest: this isn't just about economic competitiveness. It's about centralizing power and removing constraints. And while regulatory systems often need reform, wholesale demolition isn't the answer. Improving laws is one thing; giving cabinet the power to selectively discard them is something else entirely.
Until June 4, Ontario had a system designed to ensure no one — not even the premier — was above the law. Our legal frameworks were meant to apply equally. But with Bill 5, that principle is shattered. The premier now has the tools to govern by exception.
What could go wrong? Consider this: a politically connected developer wants to build on environmentally sensitive land. Community members oppose it. Laws protect it. But now, the premier can designate it a 'special economic zone,' sidestep those laws and green light the project. There is no public appeal. No independent review.
Or worse: suppose the government wants to target an individual or group it disfavours. With Bill 5, it could declare their property a special zone and strip away tenant protections, land use rights, or other safeguards.
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Or just as bad: the premier could use Bill 5 to impose his pet projects wherever he pleases — our parks, cottage country, conservation areas, even the Greenbelt.
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This is not hypothetical. Ford has a pattern: he instituted 'strong mayor' powers that allow mayors to ignore their councils. He routinely uses ministerial zoning orders (MZOs). Just last month, he signalled interest in allowing ministers to override provincial planning laws at will.
With each move, checks and balances are chipped away. Trust us, they say — we won't misuse these powers. But democracy doesn't rely on trusting the people in power. It relies on limits to power — on clear rules, transparent processes and institutions strong enough to say no.
No premier — however popular or persuasive — should be allowed to choose which laws apply and to whom. Because once the precedent is set, it will outlast the government that set it.
Ontarians who care about democracy can't afford to stay silent. If we don't speak up now, we may not have the tools to do so later.
Doug Ford is not Donald Trump. But in adopting some of the same governing tactics — concentrating power, circumventing laws and undermining public protections — he is veering into dangerous territory.
Ontario doesn't need a strongman to stand up to Trump. It needs strong democratic institutions. Bill 5 is a giant step in the wrong direction and must be repealed. Let's not pretend otherwise.