Ontario Unleashing Economic Potential of Critical Mineral and Resource Development

Beamsville – Today, as the next step in the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is introducing the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. If passed, this comprehensive legislation would cut the red tape and duplicative processes that have held back major infrastructure, mining and resource development projects, including in the Ring of Fire. By streamlining approval processes while maintaining robust environmental standards, Ontario will unleash the economic potential of its critical minerals to make the province’s economy the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.

“With the establishment of the Bureau of Mines in 1891, Ontario became one of the first provinces in Confederation to unlock the mineral wealth of Canada,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“Today, in a time of global uncertainty and unjust American trade actions, we are building on that legacy of self-reliance and prosperity to protect Ontario’s workers and job creators.”

“The maze of bureaucracy, red tape and duplicative processes holding back our economy means that a single mining project can take fifteen years to be approved,” said Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.

“In the face of current Ontario-United States trade tensions, it can no longer be business as usual. We are cutting red tape to unlock our critical minerals and unleash our economy to create new jobs and opportunities in the north and across the province.”

The current permitting and authorization processes for mining and major infrastructure projects require proponents to navigate a complex process of overlapping and duplicative approvals from multiple ministries and levels of government. The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, would streamline this process to minimize delays, lower costs and set service standards for government review times and to simplify and speed up the approvals process. The province will maintain its robust environmental standards throughout, while also fulfilling its constitutional obligations to Indigenous communities, including the duty to consult.

“When it comes to protecting our province and country’s economic sovereignty from President Trump’s attacks, it cannot be business as usual,” said Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines.

“We are unveiling a bold plan that ensures Canada is self-reliant, economically independent, and seizing every opportunity to grow our economy and stand on our own two feet. That is why we are taking decisive action to protect Canada’s natural resources from foreign adversaries, and our intent is to reduce government review time by fifty percent to get shovels in the ground. Accelerating responsible resource development – from clean energy to critical minerals projects – creates a generational opportunity that will transform our country into a true energy superpower.”

If passed, the province will work to establish clear criteria against which special economic zones will be evaluated, with the goal of designating the first zone by September 2025, while upholding duty to consult obligations. It is anticipated that priority will be given to critical mineral development opportunities, recognizing its vital role in supplying key minerals like nickel, copper and chromite that are essential to Ontario’s economic growth and security.

“Our government is taking bold, decisive action to protect Ontario’s economy by removing unnecessary barriers that increase cost and impede opportunities for economic growth and job creation,” said Hon. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

“By fostering a more efficient, business-friendly landscape, we are ensuring projects of strategic and critical importance to our economy can rise to address the unique and pressing needs of our time, while continuing to set the stage for Ontario’s global competitiveness for years to come.”

The measures contained in this legislation will make Ontario’s economy more self-reliant and able to withstand external threats and challenges by unlocking the economic opportunity associated with our abundant supply of critical minerals.