Bill 27 explained in plain English

Bill 27 creates a new framework for geologic carbon storage, updates wildland fire management laws, makes minor amendments to oil and gas rules, and reforms surveyor regulation in Ontario.

Bill 27 is the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025. It creates four major changes to Ontario law through four schedules. Schedule 1 renames the Forest Fires Prevention Act to the Wildland Fire Management Act and makes many changes to how wildland fires are managed. It updates terminology from "forest" to "wildland" to reflect modern fire management. The Minister can now appoint different types of fire officers (compliance officers, investigators, enforcement officers) with varying powers. Officers can enter private land for wildland fire management, inspect areas, stop vehicles, and search for evidence of violations. The Act creates new powers to issue fire permits in restricted zones and allows the Minister to declare fire seasons and restricted fire zones by order. Municipalities and certain entities must now prepare wildland fire management plans. The Act adds new enforcement tools including remediation orders (requiring specific actions to fix problems) and administrative penalties (fines). It allows for arrest without warrant in some cases and establishes penalties up to $50,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations. Schedule 2 creates an entirely new law called the Geologic Carbon Storage Act, 2025. This establishes a framework for permanent underground storage of carbon dioxide in Ontario. The law allows the Crown to take and hold rights to pore space (underground cavities) and issue permits and licences to companies to conduct research and storage activities. A new Carbon Storage Stewardship Fund collects money from permit holders to pay for long-term management. The Ontario Land Tribunal has powers to resolve disputes and approve certain projects. The Minister must refer some applications to the Ontario Energy Board if they affect gas storage areas. Strong enforcement provisions allow inspectors to enter property, inspect operations, and order corrections. Permits can be revoked or suspended if rules are broken. Once a storage site closes safely, the Crown assumes responsibility for long-term monitoring and maintenance. The law includes penalties up to $500,000 for violations. Schedule 3 makes small amendments to the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act. It adds a definition of "justice" and clarifies search warrant procedures. It also gives the Minister power to take action and recover costs when oil and gas wells become hazards and operators cannot or will not fix the problem. Schedule 4 amends the Surveyors Act in Ontario. It introduces limited licences and temporary licences for surveyors in addition to full licences. It allows retired surveyors to be reinstated more easily. It changes how the profession is governed—regulations and by-laws no longer require a vote of all members. The Fees Mediation Committee is eliminated. Applicants can now appeal certain decisions to the Registration Committee. The definition of "practice of cadastral surveying" is expanded to include subsurface features and airspace. Service of documents can now be done by email or fax in addition to mail. The Act comes into force on Royal Assent (December 3, 2025) except for certain provisions which come into force on dates to be named by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.