Unleashing Economic Potential of Critical Mineral and Resource Development

Ontario is rich in critical minerals like nickel, lithium, cobalt, and titanium—essential for electric vehicles, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing—and too important to be controlled by foreign adversaries.

Yet here in Ontario mining projects can take 15 years to be approved. In contrast to the EU, where permitting is completed in 27 months, Ontario has among the slowest permitting systems in the country.

The world has changed. And that is why our government will introduce the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 – a once-in-a-generation opportunity to cut red tape and fast-track priority mining projects.

The new One Project, One Process model will streamline approvals across government, cutting bureaucratic delays and fast-tracking essential projects in mining, housing, and energy.

Our plan will ensure we stand up for Canada by ensuring our minerals are not owned by adversarial foreign regimes – including China. 

Additionally, we will create special economic zones, ensuring rapid approvals for key sectors, starting with the Ring of Fire.

This legislation sends a clear message: Ontario will lead—not follow—in securing the resources that power the future, defending our economic sovereignty, and building prosperity for generations to come.

Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005791/ontario-unleashing-economic-potential-of-critical-mineral-and-resource-development

Protecting Ontario’s Critical Minerals and Energy Sector

Additionally, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, will provide the government with the ability to protect Ontario’s critical mineral and energy resources from foreign interference.

The legislation, if passed, will empower the government to remove foreign entities from the Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS) and suspend or revoke mining claims and leases, when necessary, to safeguard Ontario’s resources.

New protections will secure Ontario’s energy infrastructure, ensuring that state-owned or based foreign entities cannot compromise the security and reliability of Ontario’s electricity grid.

This legislation will help streamline resource development and reduce permitting timelines, ensuring Ontario’s critical minerals are brought to market faster and benefiting Ontarians.

Ontario is defending its economic sovereignty against foreign interference, ensuring that its resources stay in Canadian hands to benefit Ontario families and industries.

Under Premier Ford’s leadership, Ontario is standing up to the threats posed by foreign interference, ensuring the resources needed to power the global economy are mined, refined, and built in Ontario.

Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005839/protecting-ontarios-critical-minerals-and-energy-sector