Le gouvernement Ford a adopté 12 lois majeures cet automne pour renforcer l’économie ontarienne. Priorités : énergie, logement, infrastructures et production locale. Pause parlementaire jusqu’en mars 2026.
L’article complet est offert uniquement en anglais.
The bills, the break, and the road to 2026.
The Ford government wrapped its fall legislative session on December 11 after the rapid passage of 12 major bills - a concentrated push to advance its “Protecting Ontario” agenda focused on competitiveness, energy reliability, and economic resilience.
That urgency is not accidental. It reflects a government increasingly focused on external economic risk, particularly ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and the evolving trade war with the United States. With tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and cross-border industrial competition once again in play, Queen’s Park is moving quickly to shore up Ontario’s economic defences.
Despite the short sitting period, the government made sweeping changes to infrastructure approvals, worker protections, procurement rules and the province’s long-term energy strategy. Collectively, these moves are designed to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, accelerate domestic production, and position Ontario as a stable, competitive jurisdiction in an increasingly volatile global environment. It will now step away from the legislature until March 23, creating an unusually long pause that’s already driving political debate.
For businesses and organizations, the fall session sets the tone for a consequential 2026. Below is what the government accomplished, the politics shaping the months ahead, and what it means for Ontario’s operating environment.
A fast but significant legislative push
The government used the short session to advance large, omnibus bills that amended more than 100 Acts and touched nearly every major economic file. The common thread across these initiatives is momentum: a deliberate effort to move faster, build more at home, and insulate Ontario from external economic shocks.
Key pillars included:
Energy Transformation Ontario positioned itself as a future “energy superpower” by advancing the first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project in the G7 and committing to the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. These moves aim to secure long-term, affordable electricity for industry while accelerating clean-energy job creation. Beyond clean-energy goals, these investments are about energy security — ensuring stable, affordable electricity for industry at a time when geopolitical instability and U.S. protectionism are reshaping global energy and manufacturing decisions.
Infrastructure and Housing Progress on the Finch West and Eglinton Crosstown LRTs, early works on Highway 413, GO transit expansions and a $4-billion housing infrastructure program all signal Ontario’s intent to speed up major builds. Legislation streamlining approvals is designed to get projects moving faster and reduce development bottlenecks. This is increasingly critical as provinces and states compete for investment in a more fragmented North American market.
Critical Minerals and Northern Development The province reached historic partnership agreements with Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations, unlocking road construction to the Ring of Fire. With an estimated $22 billion in economic potential, this remains central to Ontario’s ambition to anchor EV and battery supply chains. Reducing dependence on foreign-controlled critical minerals has taken on new urgency amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainty.
Health System Capacity Under the Primary Care Action Plan, waitlists for family doctors have already dropped by more than 70%. New primary care teams, training clinic investments and $60 billion in hospital infrastructure signal sustained focus on health workforce and system growth. In an uncertain economic climate, system capacity and workforce resilience are increasingly viewed as foundational to productivity and competitiveness.
Competitiveness and Red Tape Reduction The Buy Ontario Act, faster approvals legislation, and annual red-tape savings underscore the government’s push to bolster domestic production and simplify regulatory processes for businesses. These measures align closely with concerns about U.S. tariffs and procurement restrictions, reinforcing Ontario’s emphasis on keeping investment, jobs and supply chains within provincial borders.
Political friction: A long break and intensifying scrutiny
While the government touts the fall as highly productive, the decision to adjourn until late March—after only 51 sitting days this year—is fuelling significant political criticism.
Opposition leaders argue the government is avoiding accountability, pointing to limited debate on omnibus bills and ongoing controversies such as the $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund and delays on the Eglinton Crosstown. Questions around transparency and program oversight are likely to continue dominating headlines in early 2026.
At the same time, the lengthy break reflects a strategic calculation: policymaking will continue outside the chamber as the government focuses on consultations, regulatory implementation and economic messaging aimed at reassuring investors and employers amid global uncertainty.
What does this mean for businesses and organizations?
- A Shifting Procurement Landscape: Domestic suppliers stand to benefit from strengthened “Buy Ontario” priorities, while others may need to reassess their procurement strategies.
- Infrastructure and Development Opportunities: Accelerated approvals and housing-enabling infrastructure funding will shape municipal timelines and future project planning.
- Energy Certainty for Industry: Nuclear investments provide greater predictability for manufacturers, data centres and large energy user—and create new supplier opportunities.
- Northern and Indigenous Partnerships: Mining, infrastructure and clean-tech sectors should prepare for deeper engagement with First Nations as the Ring of Fire advances.
- Regulatory and Compliance Changes: Sectors in construction, health, education, child services and emergency management will see new oversight frameworks emerge as recently passed legislation moves into implementation.
Looking ahead: A policy quiet period, not a quiet period
Although the legislature is on hiatus until March, policy and regulatory work will continue:
- Pre-budget consultations will ramp up across sectors.
- Regulatory details of the fall’s major bills will begin to emerge.
- Further announcements on infrastructure, housing and workforce programs are likely as the government works to maintain momentum amid external economic pressures, including ongoing U.S. tariff challenges.
The road ahead
Ontario’s fall legislative session delivered substantial policy shifts aimed at strengthening economic resilience and long-term competitiveness. Yet, the political controversy surrounding the extended break, combined with lingering questions about project delivery and program oversight, sets up an active and closely watched start to 2026.
For businesses and organizations, the path forward will require agility: understanding new procurement and regulatory frameworks, preparing for emerging opportunities in energy and infrastructure, and engaging early as the province shapes its next budget and implementation plans.
With major policy changes now moving from legislation to implementation, organizations will need clarity, foresight and strategic engagement. NATIONAL’s public affairs and government relations experts can help you assess risk, identify opportunity and engage decision makers during the legislative hiatus and into Budget 2026.
