Dear Ministry Officials, I…

Dear Ministry Officials,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 17, 2025 – the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act. While I understand and support the goal of increasing housing supply, I am deeply concerned that the proposed removal of critical urban design requirements and municipal planning authority will have detrimental effects on the quality, sustainability, and livability of our communities.

Key Concerns:
1. Elimination of Urban Design Studies:
The bill proposes to remove mandatory requirements for wind, shadow, and urban design studies in development applications. These studies are essential for assessing the impact of new developments on existing communities, ensuring adequate sunlight, wind comfort, and overall design coherence. Eliminating these requirements could lead to poorly planned developments that negatively affect residents’ quality of life. Source: The Public Record
2. Undermining Municipal Autonomy:
By centralizing planning authority and limiting municipalities’ ability to enforce local design standards, the bill undermines the principle of local governance. Municipalities possess the contextual knowledge necessary to make informed decisions that reflect the unique needs and character of their communities. Source: Toronto Environmental Alliance
3. Environmental and Sustainability Concerns:
The removal of green development standards, such as the Toronto Green Standard, poses significant risks to environmental sustainability. These standards are instrumental in promoting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring climate resilience in urban development. Source: Environmental Defence
4. Potential for Increased Urban Sprawl:
By easing development restrictions without adequate design considerations, the bill may inadvertently encourage urban sprawl, leading to increased reliance on automobiles, loss of agricultural land, and strain on existing infrastructure. This approach contradicts the objectives of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which aims to promote compact, transit-supportive communities. Source: Wikipedia – Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

Recommendations:
• Retain Mandatory Urban Design Studies: Ensure that wind, shadow, and urban design studies remain integral components of the development approval process to maintain high-quality urban environments.
• Preserve Municipal Planning Authority: Allow municipalities to enforce local design standards and make planning decisions that reflect their unique contexts and community needs.
• Maintain Green Development Standards: Uphold existing environmental and sustainability standards to promote energy-efficient and climate-resilient urban development.
• Promote Smart Growth Principles: Focus on densifying existing urban areas with appropriate design considerations to prevent urban sprawl and preserve valuable agricultural and natural lands.

In conclusion, while the objective of increasing housing supply is commendable, it should not come at the expense of thoughtful urban planning, environmental sustainability, and local governance. I urge the government to reconsider the provisions of Bill 17 that compromise these critical aspects of community development.