SON Responds to Proposed SEZA Regulations

On December 5, 2025, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) submitted a formal letter to the Government of Ontario in response to the proposed regulations under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 (SEZA). This submission reaffirms SON’s firm stance against the unilateral imposition of Bill 5 and its associated regulatory framework, which threatens our inherent rights and the foundations of our government-to-government relationship with Ontario.

The submission outlines SON’s concerns that the Draft Regulation includes no clear process for consultation or accommodation, and omits any reference to free, prior, and informed consent. It also provides no indication that Ontario intends to meet its constitutional and negotiated obligations, including those set out in the 2010 SON‑Ontario Agreement.

SON remains open to working with Ontario, but emphasizes that any designation decisions within SON Territory must be made in full partnership. As stated in the submission, “if the government continues down this path and ignores our constitutionally protected rights, Ontario will only be setting us up for future conflict.”

📄Read SON's full submission here (PDF)