The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) has come out in favour of Ontario’s newly announced “One Project, One Process” (1P1P) framework.
The permitting framework is meant to streamline the process of opening new mines in Ontario, which previously could take up to 15 years, according to Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce.
Under the new system, the province aims to approve new mining permits within two years.
NOMA has announced that it welcomes the new changes, seeing the updated framework as an opportunity for job creation and economic growth in northwestern Ontario.
“Northern Ontario municipalities are ready for action,” said NOMA president Rick Dumas. “Streamlined approvals will help us turn untapped mineral potential into tangible economic opportunities – but only if we move together in true partnership with Indigenous leadership and our communities.”
NOMA has asked the federal government to echo the province by creating federal regulations for faster and more streamlined processes for environmental assessments.
