Protect efficiency and affordability in Bill-17
Get Involved
We need green development standards to build new housing that’s healthy, energy efficient, and suitable for our future.
The Ontario Building Code is not sufficient enough to ensure energy affordability, public health and climate objectives as we build new homes and communities.
| 1. | Sign the letter |
| 2. | Submit an ERO comment by June 11 |
| 3. | Submit an amendment to Bill 17 |
Submission talking points coming soon!
What’s at stake
Healthy Homes
Responsible, future-focused development creates vibrant communities and builds healthier, more comfortable indoor environments.
Low-Carbon Growth
Cities and towns in the GTHA are growing fast and buildings are the number one source of carbon pollution. Green standards are the most powerful climate action municipalities can take.
Energy Affordability
Quality buildings cost less to operate. Building energy efficient new homes now is far more cost-effective than retrofitting them down the road.
Take Action
Sign our letter advocating for municipal authority over green development standards.
Municipalities have carefully crafted green standards to ensure new construction is environmentally, socially, and economically responsible. Green standards have been in place successfully for more than a decade and complement the Ontario Building Code.
These requirements support climate commitments, reduce the burden on our strained electricity system, and generate local economic value.
The Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act (Bill-17), which is being fast-tracked through the Ontario legislature, will take away their authority and inadvertently undermine the affordability benefits that energy-efficient, climate-resilient buildings provide to owners and tenants.
Bryan Purcell
VP Policy and Programs, TAFOther Resources
- Municipal toolkit on Green Development Standards from Clean Air Partnership
- Codes for climate toolkit on building codes from Efficiency Canada
- Zero Emissions Building Framework from City of Toronto
Myth Busting
Buildings built to green standards feature quality doors and windows, water efficient fixtures, good insultation, high-efficiency heating and cooling, and airtightness with good ventilation. These technologies and techniques are readily available.
Consumers and communities benefit most. Quality homes save on monthly utility bills and increase indoor health and comfort for the people who live in them. Many homeowners and tenants suffer from poorly built homes that are expensive to operate and uncomfortable to live in. With energy efficiency regulations for existing buildings needed soon, investing in quality new construction up front prevents expensive retrofits for consumers down the road.
The City of Toronto, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Whitby, and the Town of Ajax are the only municipalities in Ontario with tiered, mandatory standards. The cities of Brampton, Markham, and Vaughan use a points-based approach to green standards, with a menu of compliance options but no mandatory requirements. Many other municipalities are actively pursuing new or better Green Development Standards after declaring climate emergencies.
The Toronto Green Standard is a leading standard in the GTHA due to its streamlined approach, incentives for exceeding minimum requirements, and predictable roadmap for industry. Carbon intensity requirements provide a clear pathway to net-zero emissions in 2050.
Some developers oppose these building standards because of the incremental cost. Municipalities regularly consult with local developers when creating or updating green standards. The regulations can be designed to be flexible for developers, as long as they ensure uptake and are effective at reducing carbon and developing efficient, economical buildings.
Smart, responsible development creates thriving and connected communities built for the future, with easy to access greenspaces, and healthier homes with better air quality and comfort. Local economies get a boost from developing green job skills for green construction, and creating savings that generally stay in the community. These buildings are also more resilient – they resist flooding, perform better in extreme temperatures and weather.