What to expect in Ottawa

And SEZ, who?

ABOVE THE FOLD

Premier DOUG FORD is headed to the capital where he’ll be on hand for the (mostly virtual) first ministers’ meeting with Prime Minister MARK CARNEY. Ford gave a little preview of what to expect at a sprawling newser in Toronto yesterday (even ex-Finance minister ROD PHILLIPS was there). Here’s what you need to know.

The big announcement: Ford and Carney are set to sign a deal that would reduce the regulatory burden on major projects, namely the road to the Ring of Fire. The Canadian Press got the scoop: “Ottawa has agreed to eliminate any duplicative work on its impact assessments on large projects.”

SEZ who? The agreement begs the question — are special economic zones still necessary? The controversial policy contained in Bill 5 (which is currently facing a legal challenge) allows companies to override provincial and municipal rules, something First Nations in particular say could violate their self-determination rights.

Asked repeatedly at an unrelated press conference …