Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government unveiled legislation Tuesday aimed at reducing delays in construction and keeping workers on the job.
The proposed Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 would, if passed, streamline approvals for homes and infrastructure, address backlogs at the Landlord and Tenant Board, and promote rental housing development. It also includes measures to reduce traffic congestion and accelerate road, water and wastewater projects.
“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.”
If passed, the legislation and related actions would:
- Streamline approvals and site plan control to reduce barriers to construction in time for the spring building season. Site plan control is used by municipalities to evaluate parking, landscaping and other elements, and the province says the changes would create consistent standards and lower costs.
- Conduct a section-by-section review of the Ontario Building Code to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining safety.
- Improve processes at the Landlord and Tenant Board to cut delays, prevent system abuse and encourage landlords to bring more rental housing online.
- Standardize road construction requirements across municipalities to speed up projects.
- Create a public corporation model in Peel Region to accelerate water and wastewater projects in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
- Prohibit the reduction of vehicle lanes when municipalities install new bicycle lanes, aiming to keep traffic moving.
- Strengthen eligibility requirements for obtaining an Ontario driver’s licence to combat fraud.
- Simplify permitting for septic systems on farms, supporting faster construction of seasonal farm worker housing.
The bill is part of the government’s broader effort to cut red tape and accelerate housing and transportation infrastructure projects to support the province’s long-term economic stability and growth.
Here’s what construction industry leaders are saying about the legislation:
“The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) appreciates the continued action the Ontario government is taking to reduce delays, modernize approvals, and align housing delivery with critical infrastructure. This legislation reflects a growing partnership between government and industry — one rooted in the shared goal of building more homes, faster. Builders, municipalities, and government are most effective when we move in the same direction, and OHBA looks forward to working with Minister Flack and his colleagues to ensure these measures deliver real, on-the-ground results for Ontario’s builders and homebuyers alike.” Scott Andison, CEO, Ontario Home Builders’ Association
“FRPO applauds the Ontario government for introducing measures that support timely and effective outcomes at the Landlord & Tenant Board and reduce barriers to purpose-built rental development. Together, these actions will help strengthen Ontario’s housing sector, support fairness for rental-housing providers and residents, and make it easier to bring much-needed rental homes to market.” Tony Irwin, president and CEO, Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) and president and CEO, Rental Housing Canada
“The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) welcomes this legislation as yet another step by the Ontario government to speed up the provision of new housing, accelerate housing-supportive infrastructure, lower costs and enable more efficient approvals. This bill acknowledges and addresses the importance of producing housing supply faster, at a scale and cost to meet the needs of Ontario families.” Dave Wilkes, president and CEO, Building Industry and Land Development Association (BIlD)
“As builders, we see firsthand how different road specifications from one municipality to the next can slow down critical infrastructure projects and drive-up costs. Standardizing roadbuilding specs is another example of the Ontario government cutting red tape, supporting local jobs and businesses, enhancing infrastructure quality, and ensuring better value for taxpayers.” Raly Chakarova, executive director, Toronto and Area Road Builders Association
“This legislation represents a transformative step forward for Ontario’s infrastructure delivery. By enabling the harmonization of road construction materials and design standards, the government is addressing long-standing inefficiencies that have driven up costs and slowed project delivery. Greater consistency across jurisdictions will give contractors the certainty they need to plan and invest with confidence — ultimately allowing Ontario to build more, for less.” Steven Crombie, senior director of public affairs, Ontario Road Builders Association