Ontario Aims To Overhaul Regulatory Requirements For Critical Infrastructure And Mining Projects Under Bill 5

As part of its broader legislative initiative under Bill 5, the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 (Bill 5), the Ontario government has introduced a suite of proposed legislative reforms aimed at accelerating approvals for mining and critical infrastructure projects. One of the most consequential proposals includes significant amendments to the Endangered Species Act, 2007¹ (ESA).

The ESA currently prohibits harm to listed species and damage to their habitat, while establishing a permitting and registration framework for activities that could impact protected species. The proposed amendments mark a fundamental shift in the province's regulatory landscape, with broad implications for project proponents.