POWER OF YES: How ‘public interest’ is being used to justify power grabs in Canada and Ontario – Newmarket Today
May 11, 2026
‘Public interest’ is meant to be democracy’s guardrail, but critics argue federal and Ontario legislation is turning that phrase into political cover for faster approvals, weaker oversight and decisions that tilt toward corporate priorities
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The concept of “public interest” is supposed to be democracy’s guardrail, our governments’ commitment to act for the benefit of all citizens, not the privileged few. Yet recent legislation in Canada and Ontario reveals how this foundational principle can be weaponized as cover for decisions that prioritize corporate interests, ministerial power, and partisan advantage over genuine public welfare.
