This consultation was open from:
October 23, 2025
to November 22, 2025
Decision summary
The Province of Ontario has passed Bill 60, which introduces the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, amending the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act. The amendments support the implementation of harmonized road standards, including for municipal road construction.
Decision details
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) posted a proposal on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for a 30-day public review period between October 23, 2025, and November 22, 2025, during which time the MTO reviewed comments submitted by various stakeholders.
On November 24, 2025, Bill 60 carried on division on third reading, which included amendments to the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act (PTHIA) to support the province’s review and implementation of mandatory common municipal road standards to be prescribed under a future Minister’s regulation.
The Minister of Transportation (Minister) has existing regulation-making authority under the PTHIA to set mandatory standards for highways, including for municipal roads, although there is currently no regulation in place for road standards. The amendments to the PTHIA allow the Minister to require technical, industry and municipal input regarding standards and construction and design matters upon request.
The amendments also grant the Minister the ability to make regulations that:
- Govern contracts pertaining to road and bridge construction (including contracts between municipalities and third-party contractors);
- Establish reporting requirements; and,
- Establish a process for requesting an exemption from a standard.
Road construction standards encompass many elements of road and related infrastructure such as materials, engineering, design and construction practices. As each standard is individually evaluated, environmental considerations will be integrated into the review process, including industry best practices for sustainability and applicable environmental legislation.
Consultations will inform future regulations needed to implement the amendments to the PTHIA. MTO will consider technical, industry and municipal input when reviewing and implementing province-wide harmonization.
Effects of consultation
The Ministry received 68 comments through the Environmental Registry posting and five emails.
Of the total comments received, 43 comments were submitted in relation to the bike lanes, planning, and Landlord and Tenant Board proposals. Those comments have been re-directed for review to the relevant program area leads in MTO and MMAH.
Summary of Comments
- Overall, the feedback received related to the harmonization of road standards was mixed.
- Some stakeholders stated that harmonization would lead to significant efficiency gains, leading to cost savings and expedited construction for roads across the province.
- Some comments expressed concerns that harmonization would reduce the ability of municipalities to respond to local conditions in their road construction.
- Many commenters were seeking further clarity on the proposed ability for the province to govern contracts between municipalities and third parties. Clarity was also sought on what the exemption process for harmonized standards would involve.
- Some comments noted that a transition period prior to implementation may be necessary to avoid impacts to projects already in the design, tendering, or construction phases.
- Commenters recommended that any harmonized standards are informed by consultations with a wide range of stakeholders.
No changes were made to the proposal as a result of public consultation.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
95 Arrow Rd Flr 2
Toronto,
ON
M9M 2L4
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
MTO ERO
438 University Ave
12th Floor
Toronto,
ON
M7A 1N3
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
The government is seeking public feedback on proposed legislative and regulatory changes under the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 to streamline the construction of new homes and infrastructure (e.g., water, wastewater, roads, transit), reduce gridlock, enhance community safety, and improve landlord-tenant frameworks.
This work builds on consultations undertaken since May 2025, when the province committed to harmonize municipal road building standards and engage municipalities and industry stakeholders throughout the process.
The Minister of Transportation (Minister) has existing regulation-making authority under the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act (PTHIA) to set mandatory standards for highways, including for municipal roads, although there is currently no regulation in place for road standards. Proposed amendments to the PTHIA, if passed, would allow the Minister to require technical, industry, and municipal input regarding standards and construction and design matters upon request.
The proposed amendments would also allow the Minister to make a regulation to govern contracts pertaining to road and bridge construction (including contracts between municipalities and third-party contractors), establish reporting requirements, and establish a process for requesting an exemption from a standard.
These proposed changes are intended to support the province’s review and implementation of mandatory common municipal road standards to be prescribed under a future Minister's regulation.
Road construction standards encompass many elements of road and related infrastructure such as materials, engineering, design and construction practices. As each standard is individually evaluated, environmental considerations will be integrated into the review process, including industry best practices for sustainability and applicable environmental legislation.
Harmonization is intended to create efficiencies in municipal road construction by improving the adoption and application of common standards.
Consultations will inform future regulations needed to implement the proposed legislative amendments and further consideration would be given at that time to potential environmental impacts. MTO will consider technical, industry and municipal input when reviewing and implementing province-wide harmonization, including the need for flexibility to support successful implementation.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
95 Arrow Rd Flr 2
Toronto,
ON
M9M 2L4
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from October 23, 2025
to November 22, 2025
Connect with us
Contact
MTO ERO
438 University Ave
12th Floor
Toronto,
ON
M7A 1N3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
68By email
5By mail
0