Urgent: Ontario’s Bill 17 is being pushed through the Legislature at record speed. Please read The Atmospheric Fund’s action alert and click to sign by June 2.
The Ontario government is about to adopt legislation that would set back local green building efforts by taking proven, practical urban planning tools out of municipalities’ hands.
Bill 17, the proposed Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, would override bylaws like the Toronto Green Standard by “clarifying” that municipalities lack jurisdiction to set green development standards. In Ottawa, the bill would stifle momentum toward High Performance Development Standards that have been under development for almost two years.
How Bill 17 Undercuts Good Planning and Green Building Design
The bill undermines cities’ ability to safeguard urban design elements that are essential in a climate emergency, like flood protection, air quality, and energy efficiency, even though they are complementary to the provincial building code.
And it eliminates critical local checks and balances by mandating automatic approval of some development submissions, removing municipalities’ pivotal role in protecting public health, safety, and environmental well-being.
Sign the Letter to Keep our Cities Healthy and Green
Click here today to read and sign the letter by June 2, or to prepare your own submission to the Environmental Registry of Ontario by June 26.
Learn More
The Atmospheric Fund, OCAF’s organizational cousin in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, is recommending amendments to Bill 17 to preserve municipalities’ ability to review development proposals and ensure the quality housing that citizens need and want. Get the background here.