Ontario Speeds Up Critical Mineral Approvals by 50% with Bold New Legislation

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced groundbreaking legislation to cut government approval times for critical mineral and resource development projects — including the strategic “Ring of Fire” region — by half, responding to U.S. trade threats and ensuring Canada’s economic sovereignty.

“One Project, One Process” Approach to Accelerate Development:

The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 introduces a streamlined “One Project, One Process” model that consolidates multi-department approvals and enforces mandatory service standards. Citing the current 15-year timeframe for mining approvals as unsustainable, Premier Ford emphasized the need for decisive action to secure Ontario’s position as a global leader in critical minerals.

Suggested Opportunity

First Phosphate Corp. (CSE: PHOS, OTC: FRSPF, FSE: KD0)

First Phosphate is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the Lithium Iron Phosphate (“LFP”) battery industry.

Key initiatives under the legislation:

Special Economic Zones: Projects of provincial significance meeting safety and environmental standards will gain fast-track approvals.
Streamlined Species Protections: A “registration-first” policy will speed up housing and infrastructure development while introducing steep penalties for non-compliance.
Foreign Investment Restrictions: Strengthened measures to block foreign (including Chinese) access to strategic mineral rights.
Cost Reductions: Cutting regulatory fees and establishing a $20-million annual fund for species protection projects.

With a focus on unlocking the vast reserves of nickel, copper, and chromite in the Ring of Fire, this plan ensures robust environmental safeguards, partnership with Indigenous communities, and cutting-edge competitiveness in the global critical mineral supply chain.

Copper Mining Nickel Rare Earth