Should Ontario Streamline Permits for Public Lands and Resources?

Official title: Natural Resources Regulatory and Permit Reform Initiative: Unlocking Ontario’s Economic Potential

Open Regulations & Permits Economy & Jobs Environment & Climate Natural Resources
Ontario wants to overhaul how permits work for Crown land. Right now, businesses, municipalities, and Indigenous communities face slow, complex approval processes for activities like mining, forestry, and renewable energy. The province is proposing permit-by-rule systems for low-risk activities, clearer timelines, and better digital tools. No specific law changes yet—they want your input first.

Why This Matters

Own a cottage on Crown land? Run a small forestry operation? This could change how you get permits. Faster approvals might mean more development near lakes and rivers—good for jobs, but worth watching if you care about environmental protection. Indigenous communities exercising treaty rights should pay close attention too.

What Could Change

Low-risk activities on public lands could skip the permit application entirely—just register and follow the rules. Decision timelines would become mandatory, not open-ended. A new public mapping tool would show what's happening on Crown land. Fines for violations would increase. Dam approvals would rely more on engineers than government reviewers.

Key Issues

  • Should low-risk activities on public lands be allowed without a permit application?
  • How should the government balance faster approvals with environmental protection?
  • What information about public land activities should be publicly accessible?
  • How can the permitting process better respect Aboriginal and treaty rights?

How to Participate

  1. Read the discussion paper to understand the proposed changes to public lands management.
  2. Submit your comments through this consultation page by the deadline.
  3. You can also email your feedback to public.lands@ontario.ca.

Submit Your Input

Comment On The ERO Notice Draft Email
Questions Being Asked (4)
  1. What are your views on the proposed permit-by-rule and code of practice approaches for low-risk activities?
  2. How can the permitting process better support economic development while maintaining environmental stewardship?
  3. What improvements would you like to see in access to information about public lands?
  4. How should the government ensure Aboriginal and treaty rights are respected in the modernized framework?

Key Documents