A fresh report from city officials indicates that Toronto retains the power to require new constructions to adhere to specific climate and sustainability benchmarks, despite worries that a recent Ontario law might undermine those powers.
The report, which is to be presented to the city’s executive committee today, asserts that there is “no effect” on the city’s ability to implement its green standard for new developments under the newly enacted Bill 17, known as the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act.
Various environmental and industry groups have raised concerns that the law may restrict municipalities from establishing standards that exceed those outlined in the provincial building code.
The green standard implemented by Toronto is viewed as a vital component of the city’s climate strategy, designed to make new buildings more adaptable to severe weather events caused by climate change while reducing emissions.
This standard includes requirements for new constructions to manage stormwater to mitigate flooding during heavy rains and ensure adequate tree coverage to combat extreme heat. It also compels buildings to achieve yearly emissions goals, encouraging developers to opt for low-carbon heating methods like heat pumps instead of natural gas, and to provide charging stations for bicycles and electric vehicles.
A spokesperson for Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack did not clarify whether the bill would affect Toronto’s ability to enforce the standard, but mentioned that it was increasing construction costs and causing delays.
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In a statement, Alexandra Sanita expressed that, “Our government is focused on economically viable solutions, establishing uniform regulations to expedite home construction.”
The Atmospheric Fund, a regional agency promoting climate solutions in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, noted that green development standards could actually expedite development processes by consolidating sustainability-related planning into a single, straightforward document.
The organization indicated to the province that data reveals improvements in approval timelines for Toronto and Pickering—both municipalities with green standards—albeit still above the national average.
Bryan Purcell, a vice-president at The Atmospheric Fund who is involved with green standards, shared that he was “somewhat surprised” but “very encouraged” by the definitive stance of city staff in the report. He emphasized that green standards are essential to Toronto’s climate goals, stating, “we can’t afford to lose it.”
However, he expressed concerns that the bill has created enough ambiguity to potentially hinder municipalities wanting to establish their own standards.
“The immediate impact may be a slowdown in cities that were on track to develop their initial green standards,” he commented in an interview.
The omnibus Bill 17 was swiftly passed in the legislature earlier this month, prior to the closure of a public commentary period and without further legislative committee review.
The new provincial law includes provisions that disallow municipalities from enacting bylaws regarding the construction or demolition of buildings. Several legal firms and regulatory groups, including the Ontario Association of Architects, have suggested this change could render green standards ineffective.
Others fear that the province may use the bill to restrict the kinds of studies a city can mandate from developers before approving a project. For instance, Toronto’s green standard necessitates an energy modeling report that details how a building will manage greenhouse gas emissions.
The OAA asserts that green standards should not be abandoned, highlighting that they raise awareness of energy use in buildings and position Ontario to meet its climate goals.
Over a dozen other Ontario municipalities have looked to Toronto as a model to develop their green standards. While mandatory standards exist in Toronto, Halton Hills, and Whitby, most are voluntary.
The Residential Construction Council of Ontario, a notable critic of the standard, claims it contributes to rising housing costs. RESCON has even initiated a lawsuit against Toronto regarding the standard, which is still ongoing.
President Richard Lyall called the city staff report to be discussed on Tuesday “delusional and unsubstantiated.”
“We plan to express our opinions to the committee,” he stated.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
