Ontario developers are suing Toronto to halt municipal green building rules, arguing cities should not exceed provincial standards.
Fatima Syed reports for The Narwhal.
In short:
- The Residential Construction Council of Ontario claims Toronto’s green building rules overstep municipal authority and increase construction costs.
- About 30 cities have introduced similar standards, filling gaps left by provincial delays in climate-focused regulations.
- The lawsuit could deter cities from adopting local measures to cut emissions and boost energy efficiency.
Key quote:
“We’re pro-green buildings but let’s have a common set of standards. We don’t need each municipality cooking their own system and forcing builders to follow it.”
— Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario
Why this matters:
Buildings are a major source of emissions in Ontario. Without local green standards, progress on reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency could stall, impacting climate adaptation and public health efforts.
Related: The University of Toronto’s environment school severs all financial ties with fossil fuel companies
