Ontario introduces Building Ontario Faster Act, projecting nearly 220,000 days in permit time savings

Ontario introduced the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 on October 27, proposing changes to business permitting, environmental approvals and labour mobility. The Ministry of Red Tape Reduction projects nearly 220,000 days in combined permit-processing time savings from the legislation and associated measures.

An estimate, not a guarantee

The nearly 220,000 days is an aggregate government estimate, not a guaranteed reduction for each application and not a saving already achieved. The announcement concerns proposals, not enacted changes, and the bill must still go through the legislature.

What the package covers

The package includes measures aimed at reducing Ontario's reliance on U.S. landfill and waste-storage capacity, alongside changes intended to ease entry for regulated workers from other provinces and territories.

Progress in the first year

The ministry says it reviewed 51 per cent of Ontario's 375 business-facing permits during the initiative's first year, and eliminated, streamlined or transformed 65 per cent of those reviewed. Its broader goal is to change 35 to 50 per cent of the permits by the end of 2028.

Source: Ontario Newsroom release 1008206, as reported by The Northern Current on 28 October 2026.