TORONTO — The Ontario government has tabled new legislation aimed at protecting and strengthening the province’s economic foundations by reducing regulatory barriers, accelerating project approvals, and supporting labour mobility.
The proposed Building a More Competitive Economy Act introduces sweeping measures designed to make Ontario the best place in the G7 to invest, do business, and create jobs.
The legislation, introduced by Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction, is part of the government’s broader strategy to streamline permitting systems, modernize regulatory processes, and help businesses expand while ensuring Ontario remains resilient in an evolving global economy.
“This is about protecting Ontario’s competitive advantage because the status quo isn’t good enough,” said Khanjin. “We’re cutting red tape to make government work better for people and smarter for business, so there’s faster service with less paperwork. These changes are delivering on our plan to protect Ontario: our economy, our jobs and our future.”
Focus on efficiency and long-term resilience
The government says the new legislation will protect Ontario’s economy by focusing on long-term stability and competitiveness, emphasizing that economic strength is key to safeguarding jobs and communities.
The proposed measures include:
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A comprehensive review of economic development permits by 2028, with a goal to eliminate or transform at least 35 per cent of them while maintaining health, safety, and environmental protections.
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A centralized digital permitting system to simplify how businesses apply for and monitor project approvals, cutting wait times and improving transparency.
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Expanded “as-of-right” provisions for credentialed workers from other Canadian provinces and territories, including automatic recognition for doctors and nurses, to bolster labour mobility in health care.
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Streamlined forest management and municipal water approvals, reducing administrative burden while maintaining Ontario’s rigorous environmental and safety standards.
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Consultations on a Made-in-Ontario vehicle policy, exploring ways to strengthen the domestic supply chain by prioritizing Ontario-made vehicles in public sector fleet purchases.
The province says these steps will help build “a resilient and self-sustaining economy that can withstand disruption and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Labour mobility and workforce growth
The announcement was welcomed by David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, who emphasized the government’s focus on filling critical labour gaps.
“We’re taking bold action to strengthen Ontario’s economy and position our province as a leader in competitiveness and innovation. By advancing labour mobility and making it easier for skilled workers to get to work, we’re helping businesses grow, filling critical labour gaps, and building a more resilient, self-sustaining economy that works for everyone,” said Piccini.
In tandem, the government is advancing reforms to accelerate licensing for health-care professionals trained elsewhere in Canada and the United States.
“Our government is making health care more accessible to all Ontarians by cutting red tape and reducing bureaucratic delays, enabling more health care professionals to start working in the province sooner. This new legislation builds on our government’s historic action to reduce labour mobility barriers for health-care professionals within Canada, as well as making it faster and easier for American physicians and nurses to join the frontlines of our health care system,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
Supporting industry and innovation
The government has also framed the legislation as an investment in Ontario’s industrial and resource sectors.
“Ontario’s auto sector is a pillar of our economy and a source of pride for communities across the province. By prioritizing Ontario-made vehicles in government fleet purchases and supporting local businesses, we’re strengthening our supply chains, driving innovation, and creating good jobs for workers and families,” said Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.
Crawford added that the digital permitting system will “streamline approvals and enhance transparency, but also help protect Ontario by ensuring that investments are made responsibly, projects move forward safely, and our communities remain strong and resilient. This Act is about safeguarding Ontario’s prosperity and building a future where our economy can thrive in the face of any challenge.”
Forestry and natural resource efficiency
Ontario’s forestry sector is also a focus of the reforms. The province plans to update forest management approvals to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs for mills, harvesters, and forest operators.
“Our government is making it easier for forest managers to do business here in Ontario by streamlining approvals to save the forest industry time and money. This is another part of our plan to support forestry workers by building a stronger, more resilient forestry sector across the province,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources.
“Ontario’s forestry sector is the backbone of communities across the province and a key driver of our economy. By cutting red tape and modernizing forest management approvals, we’re helping mills, harvesters, and operators spend less time on paperwork and more time getting logs moving and trucks on the road. This is about building a stronger, more competitive Ontario and keeping good jobs here at home,” added Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products.
Protecting taxpayers and competitiveness
The Act also includes provisions to end the use of municipal speed cameras, shifting toward physical traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps and roundabouts, alongside improved signage and public education.
The Ministry of Red Tape Reduction says the reforms are part of a coordinated plan to reduce administrative burden across sectors, ensuring that government processes enable — rather than hinder — economic growth.
If passed, the Building a More Competitive Economy Act will represent one of the province’s most comprehensive red-tape reduction packages to date, reinforcing Ontario’s ambition to become “the most competitive place in the G7 to do business.”
