Ont. government introduces legislation to try and streamline regulatory processes

TORONTO — The Ontario government has introduced the Building a More Competitive Economy Act and related initiatives that would, according to them, strengthen the province’s economy by streamlining regulatory processes, championing local businesses, advancing labour mobility and increasing competitiveness.

“This is about protecting Ontario’s competitive advantage because the status quo isn’t good enough,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction. “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.”

In a press release, the province proposed a set of targeted reforms that include:

• Supporting economic growth by reviewing all Ontario government economic development-focused permits by 2028, with the goal of eliminating or transforming 35 per cent or more to position the province as the leading G7 jurisdiction for investment.
• Creating a centralized digital permitting system that streamlines how businesses apply for and monitor permits, reducing approval times, enhancing transparency and providing the certainty needed to invest and move projects forward.
• Supporting worker mobility across Canada by expanding “as of right” provisions for Canadian workers licensed and credentialed in other provinces and territories, particularly health-care workers. Also moving forward with automatic recognition of credentials for doctors and nurses from the rest of Canada.
• Undertaking updates to legislation and regulations, including streamlining forest management and municipal drinking water approvals processes and clarifying ministerial inspection powers by removing red tape, reducing administrative burden, while still upholding Ontario’s environmental and safety standards.
• Engaging in consultations on a Made-in-Ontario vehicle policy to strengthen supply chains and support the province’s auto industry by looking at how government, the broader public sector and municipal fleet purchases could help drive economic growth and create jobs in Ontario and Canada.

“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 David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.