- New regulation follows broad consultation, including with Indigenous communities, and will significantly speed up approvals for major projects that will protect Ontario’s economy
TORONTO, Canada — As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, the province’s new regulation for criteria to designate Special Economic Zones, trusted proponents and projects will come into effect on January 1, 2026. Informed by consultations with indigenous communities and stakeholders across Ontario, the regulation supports the advancement of job-creating investments and projects that are of strategic and critical importance to Ontario’s economic security and delivers on the government’s mandate to protect Ontario.
“Special Economic Zones will bolster Ontario’s economic advantage by cutting red tape, accelerating approvals and protecting the jobs and industries that keep our province resilient and competitive,” said Vic Fedeli, minister for economic development, job creation and trade. “At a time of economic uncertainty, this new regulation will serve as a critical tool to accelerate major nation-building projects and secure job-creating investments that deliver lasting prosperity for our workers.”
First introduced under the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act in response to US tariffs, the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 (SEZA) will provide a predictable and stable environment for investment and growth, allowing designated projects within zones to launch and progress significantly faster while maintaining the province’s rigorous standards and safeguards for environmental protection and fulfilling the Crown’s duty to consult. As the province works with interested partners to designate the first SEZs, it will also continue to engage in consultation with the relevant stakeholders and Indigenous communities.
“Informed by participation and consultation with Indigenous communities, the regulation for Special Economic Zones is providing clarity for communities and industry alike,” said Greg Rickford, minister of indigenous affairs and First Nations economic reconciliation and minister responsible for ring of fire economic and community partnerships. “As an important tool for communities to unlock First Nations-led economic prosperity, we look forward to continued partnership through the designations of future SEZs.”
Over the course of the comprehensive consultations Ontario engaged more than 130 Indigenous communities to provide feedback regarding the criteria and new regulatory framework. Ministers and parliamentary assistants also travelled extensively across the province to engage with communities since the passage of the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act. These engagements focused on local community needs, enabling infrastructure, and nation-building projects, including the development of criteria regulation for Special Economic Zones.
All feedback received during consultations was taken into consideration when developing the criteria regulation. In addition, the ministry posted the draft criteria regulation to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) and the Ontario Regulatory Registry (ORR) on October 2, 2025 for a 45-day public comment period ending November 16.
With US tariffs impacting workers and businesses across key sectors, the Ontario government continues to take decisive action to protect Ontario by lowering taxes, cutting red tape and duplicative processes, and making strategic investments. By streamlining approval processes while maintaining robust environmental standards, Ontario will unleash the economic potential of its leading industries and make the province’s economy the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.
