As landscape designers…

As landscape designers committed to building healthy, resilient, and sustainable communities, we urge the government not to weaken environmental and design standards in the name of faster approvals. The proposed changes under Bill 17, especially the limitations on requiring key studies such as sun/shadow, wind, urban design, and lighting analyses, risk undermining the quality and sustainability of new developments.

These studies are not bureaucratic hurdles—they are essential tools to ensure developments align with municipal climate goals, minimize environmental impacts, protect public spaces, and promote well-being. Local conditions vary widely, and municipalities must retain the ability to require context-sensitive analysis that reflects community needs and environmental priorities.

We support efforts to streamline planning processes, but not at the expense of long-term livability and climate resilience. The development we approve today will shape Ontario for decades. Prioritizing speed over sustainability risks higher costs down the line—from overheating and flooding to reduced quality of life.

We strongly recommend preserving the authority of municipalities to require robust environmental and design studies as part of a complete application. Smart growth is not just fast growth—it is green, inclusive, and future-ready.