Ontario Government Takes Step in Cutting Red-Tape for Municipal Infrastructure Projects

The Ontario government recently introduced the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, which includes proposed legislative changes to cut red tape and duplicative processes that hold back infrastructure projects and development.

Key measures in this legislation include:

• Create authority to designate special economic zones to help advance projects of provincial importance and security where proponents meet rigorous operating, safety and environmental standards. Projects that meet these standards will benefit from streamlined requirements, accelerated permitting and priority access to services such as the new One Project, One Process model.
• Replace the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MPAP) with a new time-limited, streamlined process for municipal infrastructure projects.
• Move environmental permissions to a “permit-by-rule” or “registration first” approach for construction project approvals. Instead of waiting up to two years for species permits, proponents will be able to proceed as soon as they register and meet the requirements.
• Remove registration fees for the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR). The change is expected to save regulated businesses about $2.6 million annually across sectors such as construction, development, transit, infrastructure, manufacturing, solar power, and waste transportation.
• ​Establishing a new Species Conservation Program to support the valuable work of species experts and community-based conservation initiatives across the province. Through this program, the government will make up to $20 million available for species conservation efforts annually — more than four times the current amount.