Ontario Introduces POWER Act to Cut Red Tape and Strengthen Workforce Protections
Ontario POWER Act 2026 Aims to Cut Red Tape and Strengthen Worker Protections
The proposed Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (POWER Act) is positioned as the next step in the province’s broader strategy to improve economic competitiveness while supporting workers and businesses.
According to the Ministry of Red Tape Reduction, the legislation would streamline permits and approvals, reduce delays and create a more predictable environment for investment, particularly in sectors tied to housing, infrastructure and resource development.
Focus on faster approvals and economic competitiveness
The government says it has already made progress in simplifying business-facing permits, with more than 150 permits completed or under review. Officials expect to eliminate or streamline at least 35 per cent of these permits by 2028.
“By cutting red tape, we’re creating the certainty and confidence businesses need to invest and grow here in Ontario,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction.
Key measures in the proposed legislation include:
- Improving service standards for permit applications
- Supporting the “One Project, One Process” (1P1P) model for mining approvals
- Using artificial intelligence to help identify regulatory requirements and barriers
- Launching a new IT system under the Heritage Framework Transformation to improve compliance and customer service
Workforce development and labour mobility
Beyond regulatory reform, the POWER Act includes provisions aimed at strengthening Ontario’s workforce and improving access to high-demand jobs.
The legislation proposes:
- Harmonizing health and safety training requirements across provinces to support labour mobility
- Expanding worker protections and benefits
- Helping workers transition more quickly into in-demand roles
Labour Minister David Piccini said the changes are designed to better align workforce supports with current economic realities.
“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,” Piccini said.
Supporting health care workforce and governance updates
The proposed legislation also includes measures to increase access to medical residency positions for Ontario-connected international medical graduates. The government says this will help address physician shortages, particularly in underserved communities.
In addition, the act would amend the Ombudsman Act to require the Ombudsman to be proficient in both English and French.
Building on previous red tape reduction efforts
Since 2018, the province says it has taken approximately 700 actions to eliminate unnecessary regulations, generating an estimated $1.3 billion in savings for businesses, institutions and public sector organizations.
The POWER Act includes 23 initiatives in total, focused on improving efficiency, protecting workers and supporting long-term economic growth.
If passed, the legislation would form a central part of Ontario’s strategy to build a more resilient economy amid global uncertainty, while maintaining regulatory protections in key areas such as environmental oversight.
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