ONTARIO INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO PROTECT ONTARIO BY CUTTING RED TAPE AND
SUPPORTING WORKERS
Province taking next step to reduce delays and regulatory burdens to build a
stronger, more competitive and more resilient economy
April 20, 2026
Ministry of Red Tape ReductionTORONTO — Today, the Ontario government introduced the Protecting Ontario’s
Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (POWER Act).
This legislation and associated policies would, if passed, take the next step in
the government’s plan to cut red tape and streamline provincial permits and
approvals so projects can move forward faster and with greater certainty, while
supporting businesses and helping workers transition more quickly into
high-demand jobs.
“This legislation is the next chapter in our government’s work to help build a
more resilient and self-sustaining economy that can withstand disruption and
make Ontario the best place in the G7 to invest, do business and create jobs,”
said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction. “By cutting red tape, we’re
creating the certainty and confidence businesses need to invest and grow here in
Ontario.”
Since the introduction of the Building a More Competitive Economy Act in fall
2025, Ontario has made significant progress in addressing key business
permitting issues, including reducing and streamlining permissions, simplifying
system navigation and improving accountability. With over 150 permits completed
or currently under review, the province is on track to eliminate or streamline
at least 35 per cent of all business-facing permits by the end of 2028.
Next steps for streamlining permits and approvals include:
* Regulation changes to clarify and improve service standards for business
permit applications
* Supporting One Project, One Process (1P1P) mining proponents by leveraging AI
to inform project plans, identify relevant permits required for specific 1P1P
projects as well as any regulatory barriers to effective project planning
* Through the Heritage Framework Transformation, launching a new IT system to
strengthen accountability and compliance while improving customer service and
expediting project delivery
By reducing unnecessary delays and regulatory burden, Ontario is building a
predictable, investment‑ready environment that supports job creation, boosts
economic competitiveness and secures long‑term growth.
The POWER Act and associated measures would also bring forward a series of
changes that would protect workers’ health and safety in Ontario, support
harmonization of health and safety training across provinces and help put more
money back into the pockets of Ontario workers. These initiatives would support
a stronger, more flexible workforce by harmonizing requirements to improve
labour mobility across Canada and by expanding worker protections and benefits.
In addition, measures contained in the act would increase access to Ontario
medical residency positions for Ontario‑connected international medical
graduates,
helping protect the future of Ontario’s physician workforce, particularly in
communities that need doctors the most. Legislative changes would also amend the
Ombudsman Act to require the Ombudsman to be proficient in English and French.QUICK FACTS
* Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (POWER Act)
and related measures include 23 initiatives to protect workers, safeguard our
economy by getting workers into high-demand jobs faster, improve labour
mobility and streamline approvals while maintaining strong protections.
* Since 2018, Ontario has taken approximately 700 actions to eliminate
unnecessary red tape, saving people, businesses, municipalities, hospitals,
universities, colleges and not‑for‑profit organizations an estimated $1.3
billion.
QUOTES
“Workers are the backbone of our economy, and the POWER Act is about making sure
they are protected, prepared and positioned to succeed. These proposed changes
will strengthen workplace health and safety, reduce unnecessary barriers to
labour mobility and help more people move quickly into good-paying, in-demand
jobs. That is how we protect workers while building a more competitive and
resilient province. ”
– Hon. David Piccini
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
“Now more than ever, government needs to find ways to support our growing
communities and secure the investment and jobs that will keep our economy
thriving for generations to come. By streamlining processes and speeding up
approvals, we are making it possible for housing and infrastructure projects to
get started faster, while maintaining key environmental protections.”
– Hon. Todd McCarthy
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
“Our government is protecting Ontario’s health-care system by taking bold action
to strengthen Ontario’s physician workforce now, and into the future. By
prioritizing medical residency spots for Ontario students, this proposed change
would make it easier for Ontarians studying medicine abroad to return home and
have a career as a doctor back here in Ontario.”
– Hon. Sylvia Jones
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
“We are fortifying our economy by eliminating needless red tape, boosting our
productivity and strengthening our economic resilience, meeting the global
challenges we face head-on. By reducing unnecessary delays, supporting labour
mobility and making it easier for projects to move forward, we are giving
workers and employers the certainty they need to invest, grow, and do business
here in Ontario.”
– Joseph Racinsky
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Red Tape Reduction
“The POWER Act is about making government work better for people and smarter for
businesses. From helping workers keep more of what they earn, to improving
pathways into in-demand jobs, to making approvals more efficient, these are
practical reforms that cut red tape, lower barriers, and help keep Ontario
strong, competitive and ready for the future.”
– Logan Kanapathi
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Red Tape Reduction
