Key Points from Bill 17

Toronto – Key Points from Bill 17 – Impact on Development and Construction in Ontario

We want to share some key insights from the recent publication on Bill 17, titled Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025. ​

The Key Takeaway from Bill 17: Ontario’s Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 introduces major changes to streamline development approvals. ​ Highlights include reduced municipal powers over complete applications, exemptions for long-term care homes from development charges, standardized zoning variances, and faster adoption of innovative building techniques. ​ These measures aim to expedite housing and infrastructure projects across the province. ​

This legislation introduces significant changes aimed at expediting development and streamlining construction processes in Ontario. ​ Below are the highlights:

1. Development Charges Act (DCA) Updates ​

• Exemptions for Long-Term Care Homes: Future development charges for long-term care homes will be exempt. ​
• Simplified Amendments to DC By-laws: Municipalities can more easily reverse planned DC increases or decrease DCs for certain developments. ​
• Flexible DC Credits: Developers can use credits across merged service categories, offering greater flexibility. ​

2. Planning Act Changes ​

• Complete Application Requirements: ​
  • Municipalities will have limited powers to deem applications incomplete. ​
  • Reports prepared by certified professionals (e.g., engineers) must be accepted as complete. ​
  • Ministerial approval is required for municipalities to add new application requirements. ​
• As-of-Right Setback Variations: ​
  • Up to 10% deviations from zoning setback requirements will be permitted without formal variance applications, reducing minor variance requests.

3. Building Code Act Updates ​

• Streamlining Innovative Building Techniques: ​
  • The Building Materials Evaluation Commission’s role will be limited if the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) has already evaluated materials. ​
  • Secondary approvals for innovative materials will be eliminated, saving time and costs. ​
  • Application fees for Canadian manufacturers will be removed. ​

4. Transit-Oriented Development

• Expanded Authority for Provincial Transit Projects: ​
  • Metrolinx projects will benefit from streamlined procedures. ​
  • The Minister of Infrastructure will oversee transit-oriented community projects, with fewer bureaucratic steps. ​

5. Municipal By-law Restrictions ​

• Municipalities will no longer be able to pass by-laws that differ from the Building Code or Building Code Act, ensuring consistency across the province. ​

Impact on Your Work

These changes are expected to reduce regulatory hurdles, lower costs, and accelerate project timelines. ​ It may be worth exploring how these updates could benefit your current and future projects, particularly in areas like development charges, zoning variances, and innovative construction techniques. ​

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We would be happy to try to answer any specific questions that you might have.

We hope you are interested in this program, or would like to discuss other ways we can help your organization grow, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can reach us by email at info@gtastrategies.com or by phone at (888) 241 9948 ext 1. We look forward to hearing from you in the near future.