ONTARIO NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Introducing Legislation to Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape and Supporting Workers

TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government introduced the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (POWER Act). This legislation and associated policies would, if passed, take the next step in the government’s plan to cut red tape and streamline provincial permits and approvals so projects can move forward faster and with greater certainty, while supporting businesses and helping workers transition more quickly into high-demand jobs.

“This legislation is the next chapter in our government’s work to help build a more resilient and self-sustaining economy that can withstand disruption and make Ontario the best place in the G7 to invest, do business and create jobs,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction. “By cutting red tape, we’re creating the certainty and confidence businesses need to invest and grow here in Ontario.”

Since the introduction of the Building a More Competitive Economy Act in fall 2025, Ontario has made significant progress in addressing key business permitting issues, including reducing and streamlining permissions, simplifying system navigation and improving accountability. With over 150 permits completed or currently under review, the province is on track to eliminate or streamline at least 35 per cent of all business-facing permits by the end of 2028.

Next steps for streamlining permits and approvals include:

• Regulation changes to clarify and improve service standards for business permit applications
• Supporting One Project, One Process (1P1P) mining proponents by leveraging AI to inform project plans, identify relevant permits required for specific 1P1P projects as well as any regulatory barriers to effective project planning
• Through the Heritage Framework Transformation, launching a new IT system to strengthen accountability and compliance while improving customer service and expediting project delivery

By reducing unnecessary delays and regulatory burden, Ontario is building a predictable, investment‑ready environment that supports job creation, boosts economic competitiveness and secures long‑term growth.

The POWER Act and associated measures would also bring forward a series of changes that would protect workers’ health and safety in Ontario, support harmonization of health and safety training across provinces and help put more money back into the pockets of Ontario workers. These initiatives would support a stronger, more flexible workforce by harmonizing requirements to improve labour mobility across Canada and by expanding worker protections and benefits.

In addition, measures contained in the act would increase access to Ontario medical residency positions for Ontario‑connected international medical graduates, helping protect the future of Ontario’s physician workforce, particularly in communities that need doctors the most. Legislative changes would also amend the Ombudsman Act to require the Ombudsman to be proficient in English and French.