Ontario proposes sweeping changes to spur mining projects

Key Takeaways:

• The province is introducing the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, which includes a “One Project, One Process” model designed to reduce government review times for mine approvals by at least 50%. This unified system aims to replace the current fragmented, multi-ministry approach with a streamlined process led by a dedicated team.
• The legislation targets faster development in regions like the Ring of Fire and Northern Ontario, supporting local communities, boosting critical mineral production, and reinforcing Ontario’s role in Canada’s economic and resource sovereignty—while still upholding environmental and Indigenous consultation obligations.
• If passed, the legislation will allow 12 critical mineral and gold projects to proceed immediately under the new framework.

The Whole Story:

Ontario is slashing red tape to fast-track mine development and boost economic resilience. During a visit to Sudbury, Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce unveiled new legislation aimed at accelerating approvals for mining projects across the province.

The Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act introduces a “One Project, One Process” framework that promises to cut government review times by at least 50 percent for advanced exploration and mine development. The move is expected to drive investment in the Ring of Fire and other northern regions, supporting local communities and strengthening Ontario’s role in Canada’s critical minerals strategy.

“Protecting Ontario’s economic sovereignty starts today, as we rapidly accelerate responsible critical mineral development and move toward a new reality of self-reliance,” said Lecce. “This plan will end the overly bureaucratic and duplicative approval process, where it can take upwards of 15 years to open a mine in Ontario. By moving away from a piecemeal system to a new and integrated approach that gets shovels in the ground, we are fully realizing our economic potential. Our government’s plan will position Ontario as the most attractive justification to invest, create jobs, and expand responsible resource development.”

Officials stated that current permitting and authorization processes for mining and major infrastructure projects require navigating a maze of multi-ministry, overlapping approvals. The new “One Project, One Process” approval model will streamline all approvals into one process, coordinated by a dedicated Mine Authorization and Permitting Delivery Team, led by a team lead within the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Officials added that approach will balance speed, while maintaining robust environmental standards and the province’s obligations to Indigenous communities.

“Our government was given a strong mandate to protect Ontario and build a stronger, more competitive and self-reliant economy,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This legislation will deliver a clear and predictable environment for businesses and communities that want to build and unleash the economic might of Ontario and all that the north has to offer.”

The government also unveiled the Integrated Permitting Plan to reduce the number of permits and introduce first-of-its-kind performance metrics and binding service standards to reduce overall project timelines. If the proposed legislation is passed, 12 critical mineral and gold projects will be able to immediately take advantage of the new measures.

“The province’s commitment to accelerating responsible development through the One Project, One Process approach is good news for Greater Sudbury, where mining is not just an industry—it’s a cornerstone of our economy,” said Mayor of Sudbury Paul Lefebrve. “Certainty and speed in permitting are essential to unlocking our full critical minerals potential. Greater Sudbury is ready to work alongside the Province to build a complete, made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain—from exploration to processing—creating jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening Canada’s economic sovereignty.”