Ontario Introduces New Legislation to Cut Red Tape and Support Workers
On April 20, the Ontario government introduced the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (POWER Act), a new piece of legislation aimed at reducing red tape, speeding up permits and approvals, and strengthening Ontario’s economic competitiveness. If passed, the act would build on recent efforts to streamline business‑facing regulations and help projects move forward faster with greater certainty.
The proposed legislation focuses on simplifying and modernizing provincial permitting processes, including improved service standards, expanded use of digital tools, and initiatives such as One Project, One Process to better coordinate approvals. The province reports that more than 150 permits have already been completed or are under review, with a goal of eliminating or streamlining at least 35 per cent of all business‑facing permits by 2028.
In addition to reducing regulatory burden, the POWER Act includes measures to strengthen worker health and safety protections, support labour mobility across Canada, and help workers transition more quickly into high‑demand jobs. The act also proposes changes related to medical residency access and the Ombudsman Act. Together, these measures are intended to create a more predictable, investment‑ready environment while supporting a resilient workforce and long‑term economic growth.
Read the details of the new legislation here: Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (POWER Act)
