Ontario Construction New staff writer

The Ontario government has introduced the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, a proposal aimed at cutting red tape and accelerating the approval of major infrastructure, mining, and resource development projects—particularly in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire.

If passed, the legislation will streamline complex permitting processes while maintaining strong environmental standards and respecting Indigenous consultation obligations. According to the province, the goal is to make Ontario the most competitive G7 jurisdiction for investment, job creation, and business growth.

“A single mining project can take up to 15 years to get approved. In the face of growing trade tensions with the U.S., we can’t afford to keep doing business as usual,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’re cutting red tape to unlock critical minerals and drive new jobs across Ontario.”

Currently, major projects face a web of overlapping approvals from various ministries and levels of government. The proposed legislation would introduce a unified “One Project, One Process” model, set binding service standards for government review timelines, and reduce permitting delays by up to 50 percent.

“The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce supports the Government of Ontario’s efforts to reduce red tape and streamline approvals, including critical mineral and resource development projects,” said Trevor Lalonde, chair, Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. “By removing barriers to incentivize investment and prioritizing regions like the Ring of Fire, we will unlock the full economic potential of the Sudbury region and northern Ontario, to the benefit of our entire province.”

Key measures in the new legislation include:

• Designating Special Economic Zones: Projects meeting high safety and environmental standards could benefit from accelerated permitting and priority services.
• One Project, One Process: A new model to consolidate project approvals across government, aimed at cutting review times in half.
• Faster Species-Related Project Approvals: A “registration-first” system would allow projects to move forward more quickly while still upholding strong environmental rules and penalties for violations.
• New Species Conservation Program: Up to $20 million annually—over four times the current funding—will support conservation and biodiversity efforts.
• Fee Elimination: Removing Environmental Activity and Sector Registry fees, saving businesses approximately $2.6 million annually.
• Strengthening Critical Mineral Protections: New powers to restrict or revoke mining claims to safeguard Canada’s strategic mineral supply.
• Energy Grid Security: Restricting access to foreign state-owned companies while expediting permitting for energy infrastructure.

Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce says the plan is a strategic response to global pressures:

“This is about securing Canada’s economic independence. We’re reducing delays, protecting our natural resources, and building toward a future where Canada is an energy superpower.”