New laws and rules coming to Ontario next month

Big changes are on the horizon for Ontario as several new laws and regulations are set to kick in starting next month. 

The updates will have direct impacts on property owners, drivers, and Canadian businesses. From drone regulations to a new federal budget, here are all the major changes you should be aware of next month. 

Here are all the new laws and rules that are coming into effect in Ontario in August 2025. 

Modernizing Canada's budgeting approach

On Oct. 6, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, François-Philippe Champagne, announced a new approach to the federal government's budgeting. As a result, Canada will be introducing a new Capital Budgeting Framework, which will prioritize investments that generate long-term benefits for Canadians, such as housing, clean energy, and infrastructure. 

In line with this, the government is modernizing its budget cycle to align with the needs of builders and businesses. Starting with Budget 2025, the federal budget will now be tabled in the fall, with an economic and fiscal update released in the spring. 

"This change will provide the certainty and predictability needed to plan ahead and ensure projects can begin as soon as construction season starts – helping every level of government make smarter, faster investment decisions," the government wrote in a news release. 

As such, the federal government will release its full plan on Nov. 4 with Budget 2025. 

"Buy Canadian" policy

A fundamental portion of the fall federal budget, the "Buy Canadian" policy, is expected to have its initial elements in effect as early as this November, although it will be fully applied in 2026. 

The policy ensures that the federal government buys from Canadian suppliers to best support the country's industries. By November 2025, the government will introduce new measures to make sure that Canadian suppliers, as well as all of their products, are prioritized in all federal spending. 

Along with this, the government is also investing $50 million over five years to modernize its online job tools. Job hunters will be able to search and apply for jobs via the Job Bank mobile application, which, by the end of November, is set to receive additional improvements, including customized referrals and a new feedback mechanism.

Drone regulatory changes 

Canada's updated drone regulations, set to take effect in November, allow medium-sized drone operations and some beyond the visual line-of-sight operations without the need for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS).

The regulations introduce new pilot and operator certification for lower-risk beyond visual line-of-sight operations, new rules for flying medium drones (over 25 kg up to 150 kg) within visual line-of-sight (VLOS), and new requirements for flying microdrones at advertised events. 

Under the regulations, you cannot start flying  BVLOS, EVLOS, or Sheltered operations until Nov 4., which avoided changing operating rules during the peak summer flying period. 

The government will also be expanding privileges for Advanced Pilot Certificates. As of Nov. 4, Sheltered operations, extended visual line-of-sight (EVLOS) operations, and medium drones within VLOS will be permitted for pilots with a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations. 

Also, as of Nov. 4, anyone applying for an SFOC-RPAS will need to pay a fee, with the exception of government organizations involved with emergency response. 

Speed cameras 

Although the provincial government is set to introduce legislation this month that will ban the use of municipal automated speed enforcement cameras in Ontario, its effect may be observed more overtly in November. 

Under the existing speed enforcement camera program, cities in Ontario are allowed to use municipal speed cameras to ticket drivers who exceed the posted speed limit by as little as one kilometre per hour. The programs have been met with opposition, as before 2025, a single municipal speed camera in Toronto was found to have issued more than 65,000 tickets and taken nearly $7 million in revenue. 

Despite other elected officials, including Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, urging to preserve the programs, Premier Doug Ford has maintained his push to remove the cameras, calling them a "cash grab." 

Ontario is also set to introduce requirements for municipalities with existing speed cameras in school zones to install new signage to slow down drivers by mid-November, with permanent signs with flashing lights to be installed by September 2026. 

Vacant home tax declaration period 

If you're a property owner in Toronto, you should be aware that the declaration period for the Vacant Home Tax (VHT) for the 2025 calendar year opens on Nov. 3. 

The program requires property owners to let the City know if their property is occupied or vacant by making a declaration every year. Through the tax, the City aims to increase the supply of housing by encouraging owners of vacant properties to sell them or rent them out. If your property is vacant, you could be subject to a tax, with the revenue being allocated to affordable housing initiatives. 

To make your declaration, you'll need your customer number along with the address or 21-digit assessment roll number from your property tax bill, property tax account statement, or Vacant Home Tax notice.