Should Ontario Streamline Permits for Mining, Forestry, and Land Use?

Official title: Natural Resources Regulatory and Permit Reform Initiative: Unlocking Ontario's Economic Potential(source: Environmental Registry)

Closed Regulations & Permits Economy & Jobs Environment & Climate Natural Resources
Ontario wants to speed up how it approves permits for mining, forestry, energy projects, and other uses of public lands. The province is proposing to cut red tape by setting clear timelines, letting qualified professionals handle more approvals, and creating automatic permits for low-risk activities. No specific law changes yet—this is about gathering feedback on the direction.

Why This Matters

Live near Crown land? This affects what gets built there and how fast. Cottage owners, hunters, and anglers could see changes to how land around them is used. If you work in mining, forestry, or renewable energy, faster permits could mean more jobs. But environmental groups worry that cutting red tape might also cut protections.

What Could Change

Low-risk activities like small dams or routine construction could get automatic permits instead of case-by-case reviews. Engineers and other professionals would sign off on more technical plans directly. A new public mapping tool would show what's happening on Crown lands. Fines for violations would be updated. Indigenous communities would get better visibility into land use decisions.

Key Issues

  • Should low-risk activities get automatic permits instead of individual reviews?
  • Should engineers and qualified professionals have more authority to approve technical plans?
  • How should the public and Indigenous communities be informed about land use activities?
  • What decision timelines should be set for different types of permits?

How to Participate

  1. Review the proposal details on the consultation page to understand the proposed changes.