Ontario is introducing legislation and boosting infrastructure funding to speed up the construction of homes and critical infrastructure across the province.
The proposed Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 would reduce delays and costs by streamlining approvals, simplifying development charges, and harmonising construction standards. If passed, the act would help spur new housing, roads, and transit-oriented developments.
“We are taking bold action to protect Ontario in the face of economic uncertainty,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “The legislation responds to what municipal leaders told us they need to build homes and infrastructure faster.”
The province is also adding $400 million in immediate funding to existing housing infrastructure programs-$315 million for the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and $85 million for the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program-bringing the total investment to nearly $2.3 billion over four years.
Municipal leaders welcomed the plan. “The status quo isn’t working,” said Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca. “Families deserve real change, and the province’s leadership will help us get more homes built faster.” Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said collaboration with the province is key to solving the housing crisis.
The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario praised the reforms, calling them “comprehensive” and “long overdue.”
The province says the act would also expand faster transit-building measures, reduce costly local development fees, and unlock innovation in materials and building methods.
Consultations on harmonising road standards across Ontario’s 444 municipalities are set to begin this fall.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
