Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has introduced legislation aimed at reducing permitting delays, accelerating infrastructure projects and streamlining regulatory approvals for businesses.
The proposed Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026, would eliminate nearly 220,000 days of permit processing time through changes to government approvals, environmental regulations and labour mobility requirements.
“As we deliver our government’s historic $236 billion capital plan, we are finding smarter and more efficient ways to get shovels in the ground and build the infrastructure that our communities depend on,” said David Piccini, Minister of Infrastructure. “By creating a digital map of underground infrastructure, we’re giving project teams reliable access to the critical information they need to plan ahead, avoid costly delays and protect workers on construction sites.
“Through the proposed Building Ontario Faster Act, we’re taking another step toward modernizing how infrastructure gets built, maximizing every taxpayer dollar and delivering the roads, hospitals, transit and other critical projects our growing province needs.”
The legislation is part of the government’s effort to reduce regulatory barriers, protect Ontario workers from U.S. tariffs and encourage business investment.
One measure would accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure projects, including previously announced changes to shorten construction timelines for the expansion of Highway 69 by up to five years.
The government also plans to review all 375 business-facing permits over three years, with a target of eliminating, streamlining or transforming 35 to 50 per cent of them by the end of 2028. It said it has reviewed 51 per cent of the permits during the first year of the initiative, eliminating, streamlining or transforming 65 per cent of those examined.
The legislation proposes changes to environmental approval processes to reduce duplication and align Ontario’s requirements with those of other provinces and territories. The government said the changes would maintain environmental protections while improving the efficiency of regulatory reviews.
Other measures would reduce Ontario’s reliance on U.S. landfill and waste storage capacity in response to American tariffs on Canadian waste products, and remove barriers for workers in regulated professions and occupations moving to Ontario from other provinces and territories.
The bill also builds on previously announced measures to streamline archaeological approvals, improve the Blue Box recycling program and support electricity system reliability.
Additional changes would establish a digital map of underground infrastructure to give project teams access to information needed to plan construction, avoid delays and protect workers on job sites.
The legislation builds on earlier provincial initiatives to reduce red tape, including the Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act, 2025, the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025 and the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026.
“We’re making it easier for certified workers from across Canada to bring their skills to Ontario by streamlining certification requirements and reducing unnecessary barriers,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “These changes will help workers access new opportunities, support employers looking to fill in-demand roles and strengthen Ontario’s competitiveness while maintaining the high standards that protect public safety.”
The government said the proposed changes are intended to improve regulatory efficiency while maintaining public health and safety, environmental protections and the Crown’s duty to consult.
