With new leadership in Ottawa and growing global economic pressures, governance at the federal and provincial levels appears to be changing. These changes, if finalized, will likely affect several environmental policies.
Federal Environmental Policy Changes
Going in to the recent election cycle, Mark Carney was known as a strong advocate for net zero and other programs focused on the climate. A March article in Covering Climate Now states, “Carney has repeatedly stated that the vast majority of Earth’s remaining reserves of oil, gas, and coal must be left in the ground, unburned — because burning them would risk a catastrophic overheating of the planet.”
The US tariff threats and the economy in general may have changed Mr. Carney’s calculus when it comes to climate issues.
Mark Winfield, a professor of environmental governance at York University, recently stated that Carney’s cabinet signals a “potential downgrading” of climate change and the environment. Winfield also said, “There’s a lot of unknowns here in terms of specifics, but it certainly seems that climate is less central to the government’s agenda than it was” (Penticton Herald).
One of those appointments is former Goldman Sachs investment banker, Timothy Hodgson, who was appointed Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Bill C-69
According to an article in Energy Now, when Mr. Carney was asked if regulatory changes might apply to C-69 (The Impact Assessment Act), he replied, “Absolutely, but I’m not going to do it conceptually. I’m going to do it on specifics, do it for moving forward.” In a recent video, Carney discusses cutting the costs for development in half.
We should know in short order how the newly elected Prime Minister will govern, as he recently met with provincial and territorial premiers in Saskatoon to discuss possible major projects that the federal government could potentially fund or fast-track (CBC).
The focus of federal and provincial environmental policy is changing (Photo by Nadine E on Unsplash).
Ontario Bill 17 – Overriding Green Standards
Our May 7, 2025, blog covered Bill 5. This Bill is intended to accelerate economic growth and natural resource development. Some environmental groups have been critical of the Bill, saying it will gut environmental protections (CBC).
On the heels of Bill 5, Ontario introduced another Bill to encourage economic growth and housing: Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025.
Bill 17 is the latest attempt to remove red tape to expedite much-needed housing in Ontario. In 2022, Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster, attempted to address the housing shortage. Bill 17 amends various Acts, including the Building Code Act, 1992.
Commenting on the unaffordability of housing in the Province, Robert Hogue, assistant chief economist at RBC, said, “Policymakers can create significant measures to get at the core issue, which is that there hasn’t been enough supply for the strong demand, which was exacerbated during the pandemic” (Toronto Star).
According to the Law Firm, BGL, “If passed, Bill 17 will impact virtually every stage of the land development process – from the submission of planning applications to calculation of development charges and implementation of construction standards. It also proposes to expand the powers of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Infrastructure, and Minister of Transportation in various land development matters, including major transit projects funded by the Province.”
“Dismantling” Green Building Codes
BGL states: “Some municipalities in Ontario, including those identified by the Province as ‘large and fast-growing municipalities,’ have set green or sustainable building standards that developers must achieve in order to obtain planning approvals. Developers and other stakeholders in the development industry have challenged the authority of municipalities to adopt such measures, recently culminating in the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) bringing a court application to strike down the City of Toronto’s Green Standards.”
Canadian Architect describes Bill 17 as an effort to “dismantle the City of Toronto’s Green Building Bylaw, along with limiting municipal authority in planning processes. These changes are proposed in the ostensible interest of speeding up construction in order to lower housing costs.” Environmental Defence wrote, “Bill 17 also includes provisions that seem aimed at erasing municipal urban rules and green building standards…”
Environmental Assistance
The aforementioned legislative issues aside, development and commercial/industrial activity in Ontario (and across the country) carries with it robust environmental obligations. If you need assistance with environmental assessments, permitting, management, etc., we can help. Contact Christopher Paré, P.Geo, at 519-948-7300, Ext. 114 for more information.
Alan Hahn drafted this blog. Alan has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and completed a graduate program in Environmental Management. He has worked in environmental management for more than 45 years. He has written hundreds of blogs and articles. His published work includes HazMat Magazine, BizX Magazine, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, GreenStone Partners, Manure Manager Magazine, and Progressive Dairy.
Christopher Paré, P.Geo, reviewed this blog. Chris is a senior geoscientist and manager of Dragun’s Windsor, Ontario, office. Chris has more than 30 years of experience on projects ranging from environmental site assessments (Phase One/Two ESA), excess soils, remedial investigations, soil and groundwater remediation, Permits to Take Water, Records of Site Conditions, vapour intrusion, and site decommissioning. Chris is a frequent speaker, author, and expert witness. See Chris’ bio. Follow Dragun Corporation on LinkedIn, X, or Facebook.
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