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Ontario Government Aims to Accelerate Mining Projects Amid Tariff Challenges

As the Ontario Legislature reconvenes following the recent snap election in February, the Ford administration is poised to introduce legislation aimed at designating “economic priority areas” within the province. This law is intended to expedite access to critical minerals located in the Ring of Fire, a region rich in natural resources.

When the MPPs gather at Queen’s Park on Monday, they will first elect a new Speaker and then hear the Speech from the Throne, presented by Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont. This address will outline the government’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

Premier Doug Ford has indicated that the throne speech will primarily address the ongoing economic tensions with the United States, particularly in relation to the policies of President Donald Trump. “Given the challenges we’re facing with President Trump’s economic agenda… it’s time to act decisively,” Ford remarked to the press at Queen’s Park on Thursday. “We must quicken our pace,” he added.

The initial piece of legislation, targeting tariffs, is expected to be introduced on Wednesday. This bill aims to dismantle trade barriers between provinces, a crucial initiative aimed at reducing costs for consumers and stimulating economic growth across Canada.

“We’re eliminating all exemptions across the board, and I’m optimistic that other provinces and territories will follow suit,” Ford stated, emphasizing that fostering free internal trade could serve as a countermeasure to U.S. tariffs. Notably, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, who previously initiated similar legislation, will be present to sign a memorandum with Ford concerning the removal of these trade barriers.

Additionally, sources confirm that the Ontario government will propose legislation to streamline the approval and construction processes for new mines. As Ontario seeks to harness its underutilized supply of critical minerals—essential for electric vehicle battery production—the bill will allow the designation of specific “regions/zones of economic and security interest.” This designation is expected to facilitate a faster permitting process under a “one project, one process” framework.

Once a region is classified as an area of “economic interest,” it may be exempt from certain regulatory obstacles, with the aim of significantly shortening the timeline for opening new mines and eliminating redundant processes. “Currently, it takes around 15 years to secure a permit, which is simply unacceptable,” Ford remarked. “We need to expedite the extraction and refinement of these critical minerals and reduce our dependence on the U.S.,” he asserted.

Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce added that this legislative initiative is designed to capitalize on the moment of Canadian unity in the face of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. “We have a unique opportunity to responsibly channel our resources not only into the U.S. market but also beyond,” Lecce stated. “This can boost job creation and enhance government revenues for our nation,” he concluded.

Source
globalnews.ca