Faster, smarter, and more sustainable: Building Ontario’s future

The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) supports Ontario’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure and housing development while establishing standardized approaches across the province. A successful housing policy must focus on speed, efficiency, and productivity—ensuring affordability, resilience, and lower energy costs for Ontarians.

Bill 17 represents a pivotal moment for Ontario’s housing strategy, but accelerating development should not come at the expense of long-term sustainability and affordability. Ontario cannot afford to overlook the benefits of energy-efficient, high-performance buildings, which reduce costs for residents while enhancing resilience. As the Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce noted in his November 2024 directive to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), “every dollar invested in energy efficiency saves two dollars in energy generation costs.” Ignoring sustainability in favor of short-term speed would be a missed opportunity, locking Ontarians into higher energy costs and less resilient infrastructure.

A strong housing policy benefits from robust building codes and progressive green development standards. While building codes ensure safety and structural integrity, green standards focus on enhancing energy performance, resilience, and environmental sustainability. Together, they form a comprehensive approach to futureproofing buildings.

Ontario can look to Quebec as an example, where a provincial framework balances energy efficiency, decarbonization, and resiliency. Quebec’s Bill 41, enacted in 2024, establishes environmental performance standards for buildings, requiring energy efficiency ratings and sustainability measures to be integrated into construction and renovation projects. This approach provides market certainty while fostering expertise and innovation in sustainable construction—principles that Ontario could embrace to remain competitive in the evolving real estate landscape.

Ontario’s real estate sector is already invested in sustainable, high-performance buildings, but without clear policies to support green development, investment may shift elsewhere. A well-designed approach can attract developers and investors eager to contribute to a forward-thinking, environmentally responsible housing strategy.

Ontario’s infrastructure and housing challenges require bold, strategic action. CAGBC stands ready to collaborate with the province to ensure that Bill 17 drives not only faster development but smarter, greener outcomes—helping Ontario build a resilient, cost-effective future for generations to come.