What to Know About Ontario’s New Bill 56

Ontario’s Bill 56, known as the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, was introduced on Monday and it does more than just eliminate automated speed cameras.

This comprehensive bill changes over a dozen laws – including environmental protections, health-care licensing, and labor mobility – all aimed at making Ontario “the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business,” according to the provincial government.

Bill 56 lays out 11 initiatives. Here are some key changes:

Changes to environmental laws and regulations: Updates to the Clean Water Act, Species Conservation Act, and Crown Forest Sustainability Act designed to speed up permit approvals for major projects. Health and Labour: Allows certain healthcare and labor professionals certified in other provinces to practice in Ontario. Highway Traffic Act: Eliminates automated speed enforcement and centralizes authority over school zone signage.

Environmental amendments

Julie Simmons is an associate professor in the political science department at the University of Guelph. She noted that streamlining permit approvals should help accelerate project approvals.

For large projects like housing developments, manufacturing facilities, major natural resource extraction activities, and highway construction, multiple ministries usually need to approve their regulatory requirements.

This bill introduces a “one-window approach,” consolidating various processes into one centralized channel.

Julie Simmons is an associate professor of political science at the University of Guelph. She says Ontario’s Bill 56 reflects the government’s narrative of economic crisis. (Julie Simmons)

However, Simmons mentioned that some processes this bill would eliminate were established “to protect things like the environment, to protect things like Indigenous understandings of land use.”

She explained that while individual permit approvals often include consultation and environmental review requirements, smaller issues that might arise on a case-by-case basis won’t necessarily receive that same level of discussion.

Simmons added that if implemented as intended, the bill should achieve the government’s goals for economic growth.

“If the streamlining goes ahead as written by the government, then it will likely reduce some activities that … may unintentionally slow down economic development,” she said.

Amendments regarding healthcare and worker mobility

A significant change in Bill 56 affects the Regulated Health Professions Act from 1991. It now permits certain health care professions certified in other provinces to work in Ontario without additional requirements.

The bill specifically mentions audiology, dental technology, dentistry, and denturism professions.

In a similar vein, amendments made under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act from 2009 will allow workers from other provinces who are “deemed certified” in regulated trades within Ontario to work here too.

The bill doesn’t specify which regulated trades fall under these new labor mobility rules.

WATCH | Premier Doug Ford says he’ll ban speed cameras:

Ford says he will ban ‘cash grab’ speed cameras

Ontario Premier Doug Ford described speed cameras as an ineffective ‘tax grab’ and announced his intention for his government to soon introduce legislation banning their use despite support from police associations and municipalities highlighting their effectiveness.

Abolishing automated speed cameras

A highly debated aspect of Bill 56 is getting rid of automated speed cameras in school zones which were previously permitted under the Highway Traffic Act.

The provincial government plans instead to instruct municipalities on installing proper school-zone signage – or they’ll take action themselves if municipalities don’t comply.

Carrie Mitchell founded Speed Cameras Save Lives and works as an associate professor at Waterloo’s School of Planning.

Hello! My fight against eliminating automated speed cameras stems from having a six-year-old daughter living on a busy street where speeding is common.”

“I don’t feel safe letting her walk alone on our streets,” she shared. “These speed cameras serve as evidence-based tools … intended for slowing down drivers.”

Carrie Mitchell says she’s concerned about speeding in her London neighborhood. The University of Waterloo associate professor started a campaign called Speed Cameras Save Lives trying to persuade province officials against banning those enforcement tools. (Kendra Seguin/CBC)

The data shows that in Waterloo region’s 28 school zones with installed cameras reported average vehicle speeds dropping by about 15 km/h after just two months.”

“If you hit someone going at such high speeds – especially children – their chances of survival drop significantly,” she stated emphasizing how critical this difference can be.”

Premier Doug Ford has branded these devices as merely a “cash grab,” framing changes brought by Bill 56 as beneficial for drivers.”

Carrie Mitchell argues though his decision “creates great political theatre.”

“The details matter when examining bills like Bill 56,” she asserted. “What I observe is control shifting away from municipalities towards Queen’s Park into fewer ministers’ hands.”

Simmons concurs stating she sees linking automatic camera elimination with economic growth legislation being politically motivated reflecting public sentiment supporting such moves taken by governing authorities.”

Simmons views this overall bill showcasing what she describes governmental discourse surrounding ongoing economic crises but notes many proposed changes aren’t novel; rather they aim towards fulfilling actions long associated with [Progressive] Conservative party objectives predating recent crisis narratives.”

An interview request was made through directed toward Minister Andrea Khanjin focusing on Red Tape Reduction who presented Bill 56 before legislature discussions yielding no response prior publication time frame.”

BILL 56 awaits its third reading session scheduled next week within Queen’s Park.”

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