Legislative Policy Framework to Advance GDS

In Ontario, GDS is supported by different legislation, including:

The Planning Act provides for municipalities to mandate sustainable urban design through site plan approvals.

The Provincial Policy Statement identifies municipal responsibility to advance sustainable development and resiliency in the face of climate change.

It directs planning authorities towards land use and development patterns that promote compact form, active transportation and transit, and design and orientation that maximize energy conservation, climate mitigation and renewable energy systems.

The Municipal Act allows municipalities to pass environmental protection and conservation by-laws. It also allows municipalities to participate in long-term energy planning for energy use in their community. Includes provision for municipal climate change bylaws.

The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe provides strategic direction for growth management and encourages integration of climate change considerations into the planning and management of growth as a guiding principle.

Regional Policy Statements influence tiered municipalities in Ontario and present unique opportunities for coordinating sustainable development.

Note: Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024

As of July 1, 2024, Bill 185 deems the Regional Municipalities of Peel, Halton, and York upper-tier municipalities without planning responsibilities, making lower-tier municipalities the approval authority for most planning applications.

Provincial Communication Regarding Municipal Green Standards Authority

  • The province had originally proposed removing site plans controls form municipalities via their proposed Bill 23. However, the Province made amendments to Bill 23 to maintain municipal site plans controls to protect municipal green standards.
  • Minister Clark expressed commitment to advancing a green standards bylaw, but progress stalled under Minister Calandra. This effort might have been dropped by the ministry.
  • There has been no progress towards aligning with the National Model Energy Code or developing an Ontario Step Code with GHGI metrics attached to meet municipal needs.

Additional Resources:

  1. MMAH letter supporting Green Standards
  2. EBR Discussion on Green Standards