The Ford government is moving quickly on legislation to fast-track key infrastructure projects.
Known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, the legislation proposes to cut red tape and duplicative processes the government says have held back major infrastructure, mining and resource development projects.
It includes creating new special economic zones the government sees as being of provincial importance.
It will also create a new One Project-One Process permitting.
“We’re going to cut down the permitting process by at least 50%,” says Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, “which can mean a permit can be approved within 24 months, which is even quicker than the EU’s (European Union’s) 27 months, which they just reformed the last month.”
“So, this allows one project, one window. They come through the Ministry of Energy and Mines today, not 19 ministries of approvals. We shepherd the approvals right across the government enterprise so the end result is a streamlined, accelerated process.”
The Ring of Fire will be one of the first zones to be designated under the proposed legislation.
Premier Doug Ford says with an abundance of critical minerals the world needs and wants, it is an area that transforms Ontario’s economy.
“With President Trump taking direct aim at our economy, it cannot be business as usual,” says Ford.
“To protect Ontario, to build a competitive, resilient and self-sufficient economy, we need to unlock every cent of economic growth we can. We need to unlock our vast deposits of critical minerals.”
Ford insists that the government continue to consult with First Nations and have proper oversight of projects.
The legislation also proposes to speed up housing, transit and other infrastructure projects by allowing proponents to proceed as soon as they register and meet requirements, including environmental protections.
Ford also proposes to provide up to $20 million for species conservation efforts and eliminate fees when registering projects with the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry.
