Premier Doug Ford’s government has introduced 12 bills aimed at reducing red tape since 2018, resulting in significant savings for developers and other sectors. The latest legislation, the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, contributes to an annual $1.2 billion reduction in compliance costs and 1.5 million hours saved in administrative work. Developers save $410 million yearly from changes to municipal planning laws and school board fee caps, while companies save $209 million by easing environmental regulations. Changes to employment standards and occupational health laws save employers $194 million annually. Critics, like NDP Leader Marit Stiles, argue these savings benefit developers at the expense of public services, such as school board funding and environmental protection. Some savings come from genuinely streamlining processes, like using email for pension communication. The government claims measures like removing parking minimums near transit save $250 million, but critics doubt the overall impact on housing construction rates. The most frequent target of these red-tape reductions has been environmental regulations, prompting concerns from environmental advocates. The government asserts these initiatives balance economic growth with maintaining environmental and educational standards, though critics remain skeptical of the true benefits and costs.

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