TORONTO — The Ontario government has introduced new legislation aimed at cutting red tape, speeding up construction timelines, and reducing administrative backlogs across the province. The proposed Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 seeks to keep Ontario’s economy competitive by supporting the rapid development of housing, roads, and critical infrastructure while addressing delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board.
If passed, the act would form part of the government’s broader strategy to boost economic resilience and tackle the province’s ongoing housing shortage. It outlines measures to streamline development approvals, modernize infrastructure planning, and strengthen efficiency in municipal and provincial processes.
“Our government is building a more prosperous, resilient and competitive economy by fighting costly delays and regulatory burdens that slow the delivery of homes, roads and infrastructure that communities need,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “With tariffs and economic uncertainty taking aim at our economy, we’re working with municipal leaders and homebuilders to get shovels in the ground faster so we can build more homes and keep workers on the job.”
Cutting Red Tape and Streamlining Approvals
At the core of the proposed legislation is a push to streamline site plan control—a municipal planning process that governs the design of site elements such as parking, landscaping, and access routes. The government says the changes will create consistent standards across municipalities, reduce administrative costs, and make it easier for homebuilders to move projects forward in time for the 2026 building season.
The act would also initiate a section-by-section review of the Ontario Building Code, with the goal of reducing regulatory burdens and construction costs while maintaining rigorous safety standards. According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, this review will ensure building practices remain up to date with modern technologies and materials while simplifying compliance for developers.
In addition to housing-related reforms, the legislation proposes to standardize road construction regulations across all municipalities, cutting down on project delays caused by inconsistent local requirements. By establishing a uniform set of standards, the government hopes to shorten construction timelines and reduce costs for road-building projects across the province.
Tackling Backlogs at the Landlord and Tenant Board
The act also addresses one of the province’s most persistent administrative challenges: the backlog at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). The government plans to improve the speed and fairness of case processing by introducing measures to discourage frivolous applications and limit bad actors from exploiting the system.
According to the Ministry, these reforms will help balance the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, with the broader goal of encouraging more rental housing investment. Ontario’s rental vacancy rate remains among the lowest in Canada, and the government has said that restoring confidence in the LTB is essential to increasing supply.
Strengthening Infrastructure and Regional Services
Beyond housing, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act includes several infrastructure-related initiatives. Among them is a proposal to enable a new public corporation model for delivering water and wastewater services in Peel Region, which includes Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. The government says this model will help accelerate decision-making and speed up approvals for critical infrastructure.
The legislation also includes a prohibition on reducing vehicle lanes when municipalities install new bicycle lanes, a move the province says will help reduce congestion and keep people and goods moving efficiently.
Other measures target practical barriers that have slowed rural and agricultural development. For example, the government intends to make it easier for farmers to install septic systems for seasonal worker housing, a step it says will help address workforce shortages and support Ontario’s agricultural economy.
Enhancing Security and Efficiency
The act further proposes to strengthen Ontario’s driver licensing system by tightening eligibility requirements to prevent fraud. The Ministry says these changes will modernize verification processes and enhance the integrity of licensing across the province.
Collectively, these measures build on the province’s ongoing efforts to reduce red tape and accelerate critical projects. Since 2022, Ontario has introduced a series of housing and infrastructure initiatives to address affordability, improve municipal planning coordination, and sustain long-term economic growth.
“The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 builds on the government’s ongoing work with municipal partners to cut red tape and accelerate housing and transportation infrastructure for the province’s long-term stability, resiliency and prosperity,” the Ministry stated.
A Step Toward Long-Term Growth
The proposed legislation comes as Ontario faces significant economic pressures, including supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and high borrowing costs. With the provincial housing target set at 1.5 million new homes by 2031, the government says cutting procedural delays is key to maintaining construction momentum.
If adopted, the act would represent one of Ontario’s most comprehensive efforts yet to align municipal and provincial processes, promote private-sector investment, and strengthen economic stability through faster project delivery.
