The Ontario government has introduced new legislation aimed at speeding up the approval process for major infrastructure, mining and resource development projects, including those in the Ring of Fire region.
If passed, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 would cut red tape and reduce what the province describes as duplicative bureaucratic processes. The government says the goal is to make Ontario the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7 for investment, job creation and business growth — without weakening environmental standards.
“A single mining project can take up to 15 years to get approved,” Premier Doug Ford said. “In the face of current Ontario-U.S. trade tensions, it can no longer be business as usual.”
Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the legislation is part of a broader push to secure Canada’s economic independence and accelerate resource development, including clean energy and critical minerals.
Among the key measures proposed:
Special economic zones: The province would gain authority to designate zones of provincial importance, where projects meeting strict environmental and safety standards could benefit from accelerated permitting.
One Project, One Process: A new permitting model aimed at reducing government review times by 50 per cent for designated mining and infrastructure proposals.
Species-at-risk reform: A “registration-first” approach would allow certain development projects to proceed more quickly, while maintaining environmental protections through enforceable rules and penalties for non-compliance.
Species Conservation Program: Up to $20 million annually would be directed toward conservation efforts — four times the current funding.
Fee elimination: Registration fees for the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry would be scrapped, saving businesses an estimated $2.6 million annually.
Mineral supply chain protections: Proposed new powers would allow the province to restrict or deny mining claims and leases to protect strategic mineral resources.
Foreign ownership limits: Foreign state-owned or controlled companies could be restricted from accessing Ontario’s energy grid.
The province says it will prioritize critical mineral development for the first special economic zone, expected to be designated by September 2025. Minerals such as nickel, copper and chromite are considered essential to Ontario’s long-term economic growth and security.
Ontario is home to vast critical mineral reserves, including those in the Ring of Fire — a mineral-rich area roughly 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
Ford’s government says it will continue working with Indigenous communities — including Marten Falls, Webequie and Aroland First Nations — and uphold the duty to consult throughout the process.
The legislation follows another bill introduced Tuesday, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025, which aims to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers.
“Our government is taking bold, decisive action to protect Ontario’s economy by removing unnecessary barriers that impede growth and job creation,” said Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli.
