Building a Stronger, Self-Reliant Ontario
- Stephen Lecce, MPP
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
SUDBURY — As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the government is cutting red tape and streamlining approvals to build mines faster, making Ontario and Canada’s economy more resilient and self-reliant. Today, Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce was in Sudbury to highlight the benefits of the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act for northern communities. This legislation would create a new “One Project, One Process” framework for advanced exploration and mine development projects, reducing government review times by at least 50 per cent and getting shovels in the ground in the Ring of Fire and in mining projects across Ontario.
“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 Minister 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.”
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. This 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 significantly 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 these bold measures to get their product out of the ground and into market faster.
“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.”
By simplifying the permitting process, Ontario is strengthening its position as a top destination for mining investment. This will make it easier for companies to plan, hire, and execute projects in northern communities like Sudbury. This means more good-paying jobs across Northern Ontario, stronger local supply chains and increased economic activity in the region.
Quick Facts
Ontario is one of the most mineral rich areas in the entire world. This includes minerals such as nickel, titanium, cobalt and lithium which cell phones, computers, medical devices, energy and electric vehicles rely on.
Mining in Ontario supports 31,000 jobs directly and 46,000 jobs associated with mineral processing and mining supply and services.
Around 25 per cent of direct mining jobs in Canada are in Ontario and around two-thirds of Ontario’s direct mining jobs are in Northern Ontario.
Quotes
"This legislation, if passed, is a game-changer for Northern Ontario. By eliminating red tape and moving at the speed of business, our government is putting the North at the heart of Ontario’s economic future. Streamlining mine approvals will mean more jobs, more investment, and greater economic sovereignty — exactly what’s needed to protect Ontario and unleash our full potential. I’m proud to stand with Minister Lecce and support a plan that puts Northern communities first."
- Chris Scott
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Mines, MPP Sault Ste. Marie
"We commend the Ontario Government for introducing the One Project, One Process legislation to streamline mining approvals. The current geopolitical context requires Ontario to secure our supply chains with sustainably sourced minerals and metals. This is one step in the path to declaring mining a strategic priority where Ontario can internally address multi-ministry permitting issues and position itself as a leader in this vital industry. Ensuring efficient access to resources that are the building blocks of modern life and innovation, while also strengthening partnerships with Indigenous communities is key to the success of the mining sector in Ontario. Now is the time for decisive action to secure our economic future and enhance our competitiveness in the global market."
- Priya Tandon
President, Ontario Mining Association (OMA)
"The mining sector is global, and efficient and transparent regulatory processes are essential to attracting investment. Agnico Eagle welcomes the Ontario government’s efforts to streamline permitting with a One Project, One Process permitting model and accelerate development with new service standards, while also safeguarding the public interest. We look forward to working with the government as we continue to invest in sustainable mineral development in Ontario."
- Mohammed Ali
Vice President, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Agnico Eagle Mines
"The moment is now, and we applaud the Ontario government for recognizing the urgency to unlock economic potential and strengthen security interests — starting in our own backyard. For too long, regulatory inefficiencies have stalled progress. The One Project, One Process permitting model marks a critical step forward, eliminating duplicative measures and paving the way for timely, inclusive development that benefits First Nations and all Ontarians. Together — with government, Indigenous communities and industry — we are creating a sustainable and responsible path forward, one grounded in meaningful dialogue and partnerships with First Nations at its core and guided by a deep respect for First Nations rights holders."
- Kristan Straub
CEO Canada, Wyloo
"The Ontario Chamber of Commerce welcomes this bold step to speed up mining development, which can strengthen Ontario’s economic competitiveness and help enable a clean-energy future. We welcome the ambition of the government of Ontario’s One Project, One Process model, subject to continued rigorous environmental standards and the duty to consult Indigenous partners. Through our Mining and Energy Policy Councils, we will keep working with federal, provincial and Indigenous partners to advance the sector’s workforce needs, expedite opportunity in the North and support inclusive, sustainable prosperity."
- Daniel Tisch
President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
"Ontario ranks as a top jurisdiction for mining and responsible resource development, and it is a key reason why Alamos has invested in this province with two long-life mining operations. It matters significantly that the Ontario Government is prioritizing the acceleration of mineral development with this new legislation, to continue attracting investment and creating long-lasting jobs."
- John McCluskey
CEO, Alamos Gold
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