In a significant move to streamline development, the federal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Ontario government of Premier Doug Ford have signed a landmark agreement to eliminate duplicate environmental reviews for major projects.
A "One Project, One Review" Promise Fulfilled
The deal, announced at a news conference in Ottawa on December 18, 2025, is a key step toward fulfilling Carney's election pledge of "one project, one review." Under the new framework, projects that previously faced evaluations from both federal and provincial authorities will now undergo a single assessment.
The level of government conducting the review will depend on which one has primary jurisdiction over the project's impacts. This change is designed to cut red tape, reduce delays for companies, and accelerate the approval process for infrastructure and resource development crucial to Canada's economic growth.
Unlocking Ontario's Ring of Fire
A central focus of the agreement is unlocking the potential of the Ring of Fire, a vast and mineral-rich region in Northern Ontario critical for supplying metals needed for electric vehicles and clean technology. Premier Ford's office explicitly stated the deal will help advance development in this area.
To that end, the pact includes a side letter with a firm deadline. The federal government has committed to completing its review of proposed roads to access the Ring of Fire no later than June 2026. This timeline provides certainty for developers and the province.
National Trend and Economic Goals
Ontario is now the third province to sign such an agreement with the Carney government, following British Columbia and New Brunswick. The federal government indicated that Prince Edward Island and Manitoba are close to finalizing their own deals, with discussions ongoing with other provinces.
This push to harmonize regulations aligns with Carney's broader economic strategy. He has also established a Major Projects Office tasked with fast-tracking assessments for selected initiatives. The goal is to stimulate economic growth and diversify Canada's exports, making them less reliant on the United States market.
The agreement represents a collaborative, though politically notable, effort between the federal Liberal government and Ontario's Progressive Conservative administration to address long-standing complaints from industry about costly and time-consuming regulatory overlap.
