Ontario Bill 23
The recent passing of Ontario’s Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, has left many in the Ontario – and national – Passive House design and building community stunned. Passive House Canada has worked with dozens of Ontario municipalities over the past three years to help develop “green” building standards, aligned with our Passive House standard. The right to set green building standards has been stripped from Ontario municipalities, and citizens and the environment will suffer.
With the passing of Bill 23, Ontario has taken a massive step back in its plans to combat climate change. Ending the use of municipal green building standards poses an existential threat to the affordability, health, and sustainability of Ontario homes in the long-term. There has likewise been widespread outrage at this and other contents of the Bill that will negatively impact municipalities and communities. Many municipalities acknowledge the impact buildings have on creating GHG pollution and now have the most important tool in their arsenal taken from them. As always, Passive House Canada is available to support municipalities and stakeholders in any way we can. You can read the latest on this Bill on our blog.
While there is much to be concerned about in Ontario, I am happy to report that Passive House Canada recently met with Julie Dabrusin, MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada, who reached out to discuss our submission to the Canada Green Buildings Strategy, specifically, how to operationalize the Strategy, and ensure its successful implementation across Canada. The final Strategy will be released this spring, but you can still read our submission to the federal government here. I encourage you to share the strategy and to support it as it moves through review.
Finally, I am excited to announce a new international partnership that underscores Passive House Canada’s title as an International Centre of Excellence. Late last month, PHC Senior Manager, Luiz Bezerra and I were invited to the launch of Passivhaus Brazil at the Fundação Dom Cabral business school in Lagoa dos Ingleses, Brazil, where both Luiz and I gave presentations to a large and welcoming audience. I look forward to sharing some exciting announcements regarding our meetings with our Brazilian and Latin American counterparts.
On behalf of everyone at Passive House Canada, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
