To the Point for the Week of June 1, 2025
To the Point for the Week of June 1, 2025
The weather is heating up and so are the Ontario and federal legislatures, respectively, as both houses saw omnibus bills tabled this week. We delve into Ontario’s deep cuts to red tape while the feds introduce two new bills that make sweeping changes to internal trade barriers and speed up approval processes for nation building projects.
ONTARIO
Red Tape, Meet Scissors
The Ford government’s latest “protective” legislation, the Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act, 2025, is positioned as the centrepiece of this year’s Red Tape Reduction Package. Several key pieces of Ontario legislation carry the “Protect Ontario” branding, signaling a broader government strategy. This Act aims to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and make government operations less cumbersome for businesses and the public.
The legislation proposes more than 50 tweaks across sectors, all in the name of efficiency. The message is clear: time is money, and Queen’s Park doesn’t want to be the reason businesses are wasting either.
From a thirty-thousand-foot view, the Ford government wants to:
Scrap outdated rules and redundant administrative headaches
Simplify public-facing processes and services
Increase transparency inside the bureaucracy
Fuel job creation and economic growth without sacrificing consumer protections
It’s the latest move in a long-running play to get out of the way so businesses can get on with it. Here are a few of the bill’s regulatory and legislative changes:
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR):
Propose the Geologic Carbon Storage Act under Bill 27 for safe, permanent carbon dioxide storage
Update the Crown Forest Sustainability Act to streamline permitting while maintaining safety and environmental protections
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH):
Explore municipally-administered financing for energy efficiency projects in commercial and multi-residential properties
Expand the strong mayor framework to 170 additional municipalities effective May 1, 2025
Amend the Municipal Act and City of Toronto Act to allow online posting of financial statements
Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM):
Address land tenure delays to expedite critical mineral mining projects
Create a clear legislative framework for tailings storage facilities
Modernize regulations to provide flexibility for the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario
Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM):
Streamline archaeological assessments by updating standards, reducing reporting requirements, and shortening review timelines
Consider removing licence renewal requirements for consultant archaeologists to reduce administrative delays
The changes at the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism are particularly significant for clients in the residential development space, given the persistent backlog of archaeology clearances—the official provincial sign-off confirming a property is free of archaeological concerns. This backlog is a major hurdle that causes construction delays and adds costs, contributing to Ontario’s housing crisis. The Ministry’s proposed changes are intended to relieve this backlog. While there was hope these measures would be implemented immediately, the Ministry has chosen to proceed with further consultation.
We are optimistic that these consultations will lead to a more streamlined process from application submission to clearance, with a focus on service timelines.
While the government is promising more efficiency and less red tape, the real impact will come down to how these changes are rolled out. For residential development, tweaks to archaeological assessments are encouraging, though ongoing consultations mean delays will stick around for now. Other measures—such as faster permitting, more municipal powers, and new consumer protections—signal a broader effort to modernize Ontario’s rules. With over 50 changes in play, the details matter, and everyone will be watching to see if the government delivers on its promises.
FEDERAL
Ottawa’s Big Pitch: Bold Promises, But Will Provinces Play Ball?
It was the week of “Firsts” at the federal level this week. The Prime Minister held his first First Ministers meeting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, interestingly the first time the event was held there in 40 years.
Barriers and bottlenecks have long been the bane of Canada’s economy, with businesses and workers running into a maze of provincial rules that slow down everything from shipping goods to getting shovels in the ground. The primary focus of the First Ministers’ table was clear: if Canada wants to compete globally and build the next generation of nation-building projects—pipelines, power grids, and clean tech—we need to finally break down these internal walls.
The meeting has been lauded as a success by both its participants and political observers, no more so than Premier Ford, who playfully equated the Prime Minister to Santa Claus! Whether this was a strategic way to set sky-high expectations or genuine enthusiasm over the progress made, it underscored the unusual spirit of cooperation at the table.
The Prime Minister backed up his words yesterday by announcing the tabling of the One Canadian Economy Act. The bill is being presented as the signature product of discussions that took place earlier this week, a legislative answer to the collective call for action on trade and infrastructure bottlenecks. The pitch is classic Ottawa: sweeping language, big promises, and a headline-grabbing commitment to “tear down barriers” and “build faster.” But as with so many “nation-building” moments in Canadian politics, the devil is in the details. And the details demand a heavy dose of skepticism.
The Act is an omnibus package, combining the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. The first promises to eliminate federal-level barriers to the movement of goods, services, and workers across provincial lines. The second aims to fast-track major projects deemed to be of “national interest,” promising to cut approval timelines and centralize oversight. In short: Ottawa wants to make it easier to do business and build big things, faster.
On paper, this is the kind of reform business groups and economists have been demanding for decades. Canada’s internal trade barriers are a perennial drag on growth, costing billions and making the country’s economy less competitive. The promise of mutual recognition—where a product or professional credential approved in one province is accepted everywhere—sounds like a silver bullet.
But here’s the catch: the bill only clears away federal hurdles. The real obstacles are deeply rooted in provincial laws, regulations, and licensing regimes. Ottawa can’t unilaterally force provinces to harmonize standards or open their markets. The Act’s language is careful—it “recognizes” provincial approvals federally but stops short of obligating provinces to reciprocate. In effect, it’s a one-way street. Unless provinces buy in, the patchwork persists.
The same dynamic plays out on project approvals. While the Building Canada Act gives Ottawa a central role in designating and expediting projects, it doesn’t override provincial authority or environmental review processes. Provinces still control land use, resource management, and many permitting requirements. Without their cooperation, the promise of “shovels in the ground” in record time is more aspiration than certainty.
Despite the government’s bold rhetoric, the bill is already drawing skepticism from a range of quarters. Many see it as more sizzle than steak: by focusing exclusively on federal barriers, the legislation leaves the most entrenched provincial obstacles untouched. The promise of a “single market” rings hollow if provinces aren’t compelled—or incentivized—to change their own rules.
The broad regulatory powers handed to the federal cabinet are also raising eyebrows, with some provinces and constitutional experts warning of federal overreach, even if the bill’s actual bite is limited. Bundling two major reforms into one omnibus bill is another flashpoint, with critics arguing that it limits scrutiny and meaningful debate, potentially burying important details in legislative fine print.
Provincial reactions reflect this wariness. Quebec and British Columbia, long defenders of their regulatory autonomy, are expected to push back hard against any federal initiative that even hints at encroachment, especially on professional licensing, environmental standards, or project approvals. Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario may be more supportive in principle, given their own frustrations with internal trade barriers and slow project approvals, but even these provinces will be cautious. No Premier wants to cede real authority or risk local industries for the sake of a federal promise.
Across the board, provinces are likely to demand meaningful consultation, clear limits on federal powers, and assurances that their own standards and priorities won’t be steamrolled in the name of “national interest.” The bill’s provisions for Indigenous consultation and environmental review are also under scrutiny, with many warning that economic priorities must not come at the expense of proper engagement or environmental safeguards. We saw Sean Fraser this week pay a public price for saying that no First Nation can “veto” a project, which set off First Nations leaders and activists. He’s since apologized.
The One Canadian Economy Act is being sold as a breakthrough, but its real-world impact depends entirely on provincial buy-in. The provisions sound bold, but without provincial cooperation, the reforms risk being more symbolic than transformative. For clients and stakeholders, the message is clear: approach with caution, not excitement. Watch for how provinces respond—not just in press releases, but in legislative action. The road to a truly unified Canadian economy still runs through Queen’s Park, the National Assembly, and every other provincial capital.
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ONpoint Strategy Group is all about helping clients make an impact where it counts. Specializing in government relations and strategic execution, our team—Nico Fidani-Diker, Mariana Di Rezze, Krystle Caputo, David Morgado, Christopher Mourtos, Ellen Gouchman, and Brandon Falcone—works closely with clients to navigate complex political landscapes and bring their goals to life. With a practical, results-driven approach, we build strong relationships, craft winning strategies, and make sure every step brings clients closer to meaningful outcomes. We’re passionate about making sure our clients are heard, supported, and positioned for success.
