Barbara Patrocinio

Reporter

A look at the bills that got royal assent during this legislative session and those that will have to wait until the house is back on October 20th.

Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025

 This bill aims to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, improve labour mobility, and harmonize credentials to counter economic threats like U.S. tariffs. The government says this could help recover billions lost annually due to internal trade restrictions.

 the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act

. This controversial omnibus bill allows for the creation of special economic zones (SEZs) where infrastructure and mining projects can bypass certain provincial regulations. The Ford government argues this will cut red tape and stimulate economic growth, particularly in Northern Ontario.

. This legislation gives municipalities and police new powers to dismantle homeless encampments and restrict public drug use. It was backed by many Ontario mayors as a long-awaited enforcement tool.

Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act,

,". This bill includes a new section, the 

Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act

, making landlords (residential and commercial) responsible for preventing drug-related activities in their units. It’s positioned as part of a broader public safety strategy.

. This health modernization bill would streamline access to patient data and enhance digital health infrastructure, while aiming to stabilize the workforce.

. Tabled with a $300 million investment, this bill aims to connect 300,000 more Ontarians with primary care by expanding teaching clinics. It also introduces a formal legislative framework for the delivery of primary care, a Canadian first.

Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025

. Focused on housing and infrastructure, this bill supports faster development near transit hubs and in key growth areas. It’s the province’s first major post-election legislation targeting the housing supply crisis.

 A routine but essential financial bill that authorizes government spending for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.

Bill 34, MPP Pension and Compensation Act. 

It gave Ontario MPPs a 35 per cent salary increas, their first raise in 16 years. The legislation brought MPP pay to 75 per cent of what federal MPs earn. MPP salaries rose from $116,550 to $157,250, with cabinet ministers earning $223,909. The bill also introduced a new pension plan for MPPs.

 (Bill 9). This legislation establishes a standardized municipal code of conduct for councillours across Ontario, creates a consistent process for integrity commissioner investigations, and mandates ethics training for councillors and local board members. It was also long-awaited by municipalities.

 Act, 2025. Ordered for second reading, this bill aims to improve care coordination for seniors and their caregivers, backed by $114 million for health programs and long-term care services. The goal is to better connect older Ontarians with complex care resources.

Bill 25, the Emergency Management Modernization Act.

 Seeks to enhance Ontario’s disaster response tools by modernizing emergency legislation and formalizing Ontario Corps as a key component of emergency operations.

Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Amendment Act

: Enhance access to green spaces in urban areas.

: Allow recreational activities like rock climbing and ATV use, potentially involving landscape modifications.

The Bill also authorizes the Lieutenant Governor in Counsel to make regulations adding new classes of provincial parks and specifying objectives for such parks.

Bill 27, Resource Management and Safety Act

. Overhauls the Forest Fires Prevention Act, renaming it the 

. Also modernizes terminology, introduces new fire management planning rules, enhances officer powers, and adds penalties for violations. It’s part of a broader effort to strengthen Ontario’s response to wildfires.

Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025

The latest in a series of labour reform packages, this bill introduces:

Requirements for job platforms to combat fraudulent postings.

Three unpaid job-seeking leave days for workers impacted by mass layoffs.

Longer layoff windows if approved by the Ministry.

New health and safety rules, including WSIB reimbursements for defibrillators.

A new administrative penalty scheme to enforce compliance.

A new portal to fast-track skilled immigrant applications and get workers on job sites faster.

Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025

. Strengthens oversight of school boards, postsecondary institutions, and children’s aid societies. It also enhances government powers to intervene in cases of financial mismanagement and aims to improve student well-being and academic outcomes. It came amidst conflicts between the government and schoolboards.

Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, 

. This bill expands the mandates of Ontario’s energy agencies to include economic growth and hydrogen development, and allows investments to block “hostile foreign actors” from Ontario’s energy grid and makes nuclear and transmission projects eligible for clean energy funding.

Bill 45, the Peel Transition Implementation Act. 

The Bill lays the groundwork for dissolving the Region of Peel by transferring key services, like highways and stormwater systems, to Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. It also expands the number of facilitators overseeing the transition process.amends the 

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Act

, so the Minister can appoint a Provincial Land and Development Facilitator and up to four Deputy Facilitators and fix their terms of reference.

Bill 46, Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act,

 MPP Andrea Khanjin introduced more than 50 new measures to cut red tape under the “Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act, 2025.” The package includes amendments to the Landlord and Tenant Board and a potential overhaul of strong mayor powers.

Spring session summary: these are the bills the PCs approved in this session, and the ones left to wait until October

Royal Assent was given to:

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