The Ontario government’s launch of the new One Project, One Process (1P1P) framework for mine development is an important initiative that could one day affect how aggregate sites are licensed in Ontario. Announced Oct. 17 by Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce, the new model aims to cut mine approval timelines in half by establishing a single, coordinated permitting pathway led by a dedicated Mine Authorization and Permitting Delivery Team.
Read the Government’s press release here.
According to the government, Ontario’s mining sector has struggled for years with fragmented, multi-ministry reviews that could take up to 15 years to approve a single project — sound familiar?
The 1P1P approach replaces that with one lead ministry, one coordinated process and one point of contact — ensuring decisions are made efficiently without compromising environmental or Indigenous consultation obligations. The model explicitly upholds the Crown’s duty to consult, but does so in a more transparent and consistent way, supported by new provincial funding for Indigenous participation, training and equity partnerships. This initiative recalls the "customer service approach" that Minister Mike Harris reference in his interview with OSSGA and ORBA leaders at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference.
Importantly, the framework is being positioned as a “whole-of-government” model for investment attraction and red-tape reduction. The model directly supports the province’s Critical Minerals Strategy and introduces a coordinated consultation structure that could help clarify roles, timelines and expectations for both proponents and Indigenous communities.
For the aggregate industry, this development is worth watching closely. Many of the challenges facing mining — complex approvals, overlapping jurisdictions, inconsistent consultation and protracted environmental reviews — are shared by aggregate producers. The principles embedded in 1P1P — clarity, accountability and early, well-resourced Indigenous engagement — mirror OSSGA’s ongoing calls for a more predictable approvals system under the Aggregate Resources Act.
If the mining framework succeeds, it could provide a template for a parallel 1P1P model for aggregates — aligning ministries, defining clear lead responsibilities and ensuring consultation is timely, meaningful and coordinated.
As OSSGA continues to advocate for streamlined licensing, reduced duplication and stronger Indigenous partnerships, the mining model demonstrates how Ontario can balance speed, transparency and reconciliation — and how that same balanced approach could help build a modern, efficient and respectful path forward for aggregate approvals.
Read the province’s 1P1P framework here. For any questions or comments please contact Michael McSweeney.