Ontario to designate Ring of Fire as special economic zone ‘as quickly as possible,’ Ford says

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to media prior the First Minister’s Meeting in Saskatoon on June 2. He has promised to consult Indigenous communities on Bill 5 over the summer.

LIAM RICHARDS/THE CANADIAN PRESS

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford is vowing to quickly use sweeping new powers that allow the government to speed up the construction of mines in his province’s northern Ring of Fire region, despite opposition from First Nations leaders who warn of protests or blockades.

Mr. Ford, speaking to reporters on Thursday, also pledged to consult Indigenous communities over the summer on the Progressive Conservative government’s legislation, known as Bill 5. It allows the government to designate “special economic zones” where it could exempt companies from any provincial law, including environmental or labour rules.