TORONTO — The Ontario government has introduced the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026, proposing regulatory reforms aimed at eliminating nearly 220,000 days of permit processing time, accelerating infrastructure development and improving the province’s competitiveness amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
Announced October 27, the proposed legislation seeks to reduce administrative delays, attract private investment, support job creation and improve labour mobility across Canada. The measures form part of the provincial government’s broader objective of making Ontario the most competitive economy in the G7.
Ontario Targets Faster Business Permits and Regulatory Approvals
The legislation builds on Ontario’s commitment to review all 375 business-facing permits over three years, with a target of eliminating, streamlining or transforming between 35 and 50 per cent by the end of 2028.
According to the Ministry of Red Tape Reduction, the province has already reviewed 51 per cent of those permits during the initiative’s first year. Of the permits examined, 65 per cent have been eliminated, streamlined or transformed.
“We’re giving businesses the confidence and predictability they need to invest and create jobs here in Ontario, so we can stand up to tariffs, protect our workers and build the most competitive economy in the G7,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction. “Through the measures contained in the Building Ontario Faster Act, we are ahead of schedule in our work to review every single business-facing permit across government, and on track to save businesses nearly 220,000 days that would otherwise be spent navigating red tape and waiting for outdated and unnecessary approval processes.”
The government expects the reforms to improve regulatory predictability and reduce the administrative burden on companies seeking approvals for expansion and investment.
Infrastructure Projects and Transportation Improvements
The proposed changes also target infrastructure development, including transportation networks, housing-related construction and public utilities.
Highway 69 Expansion Could Be Accelerated by Five Years
Ontario says its regulatory reforms could reduce construction timelines for the Highway 69 expansion by up to five years.
“For too long, unnecessary red tape and outdated processes have slowed down critical infrastructure projects and made it harder for businesses to grow. From cutting five years off construction timelines for the expansion of Highway 69, to eliminating outdated licensing requirements, we’re making government work faster and smarter. These changes will improve road safety, reduce costs for businesses and help us deliver the modern transportation network people and businesses depend on.” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
Additional measures include modernizing heritage approvals, improving archaeological assessment processes and developing digital mapping of underground infrastructure to help construction teams avoid delays.
Ontario Responds to U.S. Tariffs and Trade Uncertainty
The legislation also addresses economic pressures associated with American trade measures, including Section 338 tariffs affecting Canadian waste products entering the United States.
Ontario intends to reduce its dependence on American landfill and waste storage capacity while modernizing environmental approvals.
The government says the changes would maintain environmental safeguards while improving regulatory efficiency and strengthening domestic waste management infrastructure.
Labour Mobility and Workforce Development
Another component would simplify certification requirements for qualified workers arriving from other Canadian provinces and territories.
The reforms are intended to help employers address labour shortages while allowing professionals in regulated occupations to enter Ontario’s workforce more efficiently.
Agriculture, mining, health care and energy are among the sectors expected to benefit from reduced administrative requirements.
Economic Competitiveness and Investment Outlook
The proposed legislation follows earlier provincial initiatives, including the Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act, 2025, and the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025.
Ontario is also pursuing reforms to mining approvals, electricity infrastructure planning and archaeological assessments. The government says archaeological approval timelines could be reduced by as much as 80 per cent.
The changes are intended to complement the province’s $236-billion capital plan, which supports transportation, hospitals, transit and other public infrastructure.
However, the proposed reforms remain subject to the legislative process, and their economic impact will depend on implementation and the extent to which businesses experience shorter approval periods.
If enacted, the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026, would represent another step in Ontario’s efforts to reduce regulatory costs, accelerate investment and strengthen economic resilience while maintaining public safety and environmental protections.
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