ONTARIO NEWS RELEASE: Province Introducing Legislation to Protect Ontario by Building a More Competitive Economy

TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government introduced the Building a More Competitive Economy Act and related initiatives that would, if passed, protect and strengthen the province’s economy by streamlining regulatory processes, championing local businesses, advancing labour mobility and increasing competitiveness. These measures will help build a resilient and self-sustaining economy that can withstand disruption and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while making Ontario the best place in the G7 to invest, do business and create jobs.

“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.”To ensure Ontario remains resilient, responsive and ready to lead in a rapidly changing global economy, the province is proposing 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, while maintaining robust health, safety and environmental protections.
• 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 upholding Ontario’s rigorous 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.

The Building a More Competitive Economy Act is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by putting in place conditions for long-term stability, resiliency and prosperity, with the ambition to make Ontario the most competitive place to do business while supporting businesses, workers, and communities. Throughout this process, the province will continue to uphold its Duty to Consult obligations.