Minister Lecce from a August 2023 press conference
The Ontario government is moving to speed up development in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region through new legislation aimed at cutting red tape and streamlining approvals for major resource projects.
The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, tabled on April 17, proposes a “One Project, One Process” model that would reduce duplication between government agencies and introduce binding service standards to shorten review times. The Ford government says the plan will accelerate mining and infrastructure approvals while maintaining environmental protections and meeting its legal duty to consult Indigenous communities.
Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says the goal is to cut government review times by half, without weakening environmental protections or Indigenous consultation.
“The maze of bureaucracy holding back our economy means a single mining project can take 15 years to be approved,” said Premier Doug Ford in a news release. “We’re cutting red tape to unlock our critical minerals and create new jobs.”
Lecce says the move protects the provinces economic future and helps respond to trade tension with the U.S.
The Ring of Fire, located more than 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, contains key minerals such as nickel, copper and chromite. These are essential to the production of electric vehicle batteries, clean energy technologies and consumer electronics.
Lecce said the legislation will also help Ontario protect its resources from “foreign adversaries” by proposing new rules to restrict the transfer or registration of mining claims to state-owned entities.
Lecce says the current process is outrageously longest especially when compared to other provinces, the European Union, the United States and Australia.
The legislation also includes plans to designate special economic zones, giving priority to high-value projects that meet rigorous environmental and safety standards. The province hopes to designate its first zone by September.
Ontario says it will continue to work with First Nations partners, including Marten Falls, Webequie and Aroland, to develop the region in a responsible and inclusive way.
The bill is part of the province’s broader plan to strengthen economic independence and position Ontario as a global leader in critical mineral development
Written by: Joseph