Premier Ford tables legislation to fast-track mining development in Ontario

Credit: CHCH News

At an announcement in Toronto on Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford announced he’s bringing new legislation to the table that will speed up the development of mines in Ontario.

The new bill aims to fast-track permit approvals and do away with some environmental assessments including one of a proposed mine in the Ring of Fire region and another proposed landfill.

“The maze of bureaucracy, red tape and duplicative processes holding back our economy means that a single mining project can take 15 years to be approved,” Ford said.

“In the face of current Ontario-U.S. trade tensions, it can no longer be business as usual. We are cutting red tape to unlock our critical minerals and unleash our economy to create new jobs and opportunities in the north and across the province.”

Ford has talked about expanding Ontario’s mining capabilities for years, but renewed those promises during his recent provincial election campaign as a potential response to the threat of U.S. tariffs.

Many First Nations have voiced concerns about Ford’s plans to mine their territories without their consent. However, Conservative party officials say they see the legislation as a step in the right direction towards “economic reconciliation” with Indigenous communities.

“As part of our commitment to unlocking Ontario’s true economic and critical mineral potential, we are ensuring First Nations communities are a central feature as full partners in achieving prosperity,” Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation said in a statement.