Transition Brockville              

Environmental Defence

Building Code

The Ontario Building Code is based on the National Building Code, but also references the Model National Energy Code for Buildings. The 2006 version of Ontario’s code underwent considerable changes from the previous edition, including a new objective-based format and the inclusion of a section on Resource Conservation. Under the provincial code, all new buildings (except houses) must now meet the energy efficiency criteria set by the MNECB, and will have to exceed by 25 per cent the energy efficiency levels for the MNECB, starting in 2012. All new houses are now required to meet increased energy efficiency requirements for windows, ceiling insulation, wall insulation, foundation wall insulation, as well as a 90 per cent efficiency rating for furnaces. By 2012, new houses must substantially meet an EnerGuide rating of 80. The building code also incorporates renewable technologies including rooftop solar panels, wastewater heat recovery systems and solar hot water heaters, and allows greater flexibility for the use of green technologies.

Land Use and Ecology

The government of Ontario has made considerable advances in the protection of greenspace. The Places to Grow Act aims to create “complete communities” that provide a greater mix of housing, working and transportation opportunities. It also sets a minimum density target of 40 per cent in built-up areas by 2015. The goal is to direct development away from greenfields into existing urban areas, and make better use of the existing infrastructure. Complementary to this, the Greenbelt Act and Plan establish a 1.8 million-acre zone of protected greenspace around the Golden Horseshoe, and municipalities can submit requests to grow the Greenbelt in their jurisdictions through recently established criteria. The designation of Protected Countryside includes farmland and natural heritage systems. Ontario also has legislation and programs in place, such as the Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program, to assist with the redevelopment of industrial land, again with the goal of directing growth away from greenspace.

Energy

In 2007, the province introduced Go Green: Ontario’s Action Plan on Climate Change, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions levels to 6 per cent below 1990 levels by 2014, 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. The Plan includes a $150 million investment in household energy conservation and green technologies, as well as a $17.5 billion plan for transit. Ontario’s new Green Energy and Green Economy Act, enacted May 14, 2009, repeals the Energy Efficiency Act and the Energy Conservation Act. The new Act largely reenacts provisions of the Energy Efficiency Act restricting the sale of lease of appliances that do not meet prescribed efficiency standards and includes provisions to set targets and require government departments and agencies to develop energy conservation plans to meet these targets. Responsibility to report on progress is removed from the Ontario Power Authority and put into the hands of the Commissioner of the Environment. The Green Energy Act is designed to build Ontario’s development and use of clean and renewable energy and encourage energy conservation, as well as strengthen energy efficiency requirements in the provincial building code and establish an Expert Advisory Council for continuing improvements to the code.While the Act makes home energy audits and ratings mandatory for sellers, they may be waived by the buyer. Voluntary energy programs such as the Community Conservation Initiatives program, which is currently under review, gives financial support to community conservation and renewable energy projects and the Municipal Eco Challenge Fund increases the energy efficiency of municipal buildings. Other incentives include the Home Energy Savings Program for energy efficiency upgrades, a sales tax exemption on certain ENERGY STAR appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, and the Solar Thermal Heating Incentive Program for industrial, commercial and institutional sectors. Under changes to the Planning Act, municipal community improvement plans can now include energy efficiency strategies, and municipalities can require that energy efficiency and conservation is included on planning applications.

Water

The most recent version of the provincial building code addresses water efficiency in buildings, setting requirements for fixtures such as low flow faucets, showerheads, and low flush toilets. The code also enables the use of water saving technologies including green roofs and grey water use. The government requires the LEED standard for all new government office buildings and major renovation projects, which incorporates water efficiency features.

Resources and Waste

Faced with 10 million tonnes of waste each year from homes, businesses and industries, the Ontario government’s recycling and composting programs currently divert 2.3 million tonnes from landfills. The Waste Diversion Act, which governs the development of provincial programs, is currently under review with the goal of achieving zero waste through strategies such as extended producer responsibility, and programs such as the industry-funded Used Tire Recycling Program, which aims to divert 12 million used tires from landfills annually. Under theWaste Diversion Act, the Ontario government has established recycling programs for Blue Box waste, which includes paper, plastics and glass. Waste Diversion Ontario, has developed the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Program.

Health

Other than the requirements of the National Building Code and other federal policies, the province has no policies or programs in place that directly address the health impact of buildings, as determined by the parameters of this report.

Overall Integration

Like British Columbia, Ontario is one of the leaders in Canada with respect to green buildings. Progressive land use planning policies, energy and water efficiency changes to the building code, and departments that are involved in regulations and programs that can influence the environmental performance of buildings, all show a significant commitment to positive environmental change. Grants for training provided by the Ontario Builders Association will help prepare the industry for these changes

Top Marks East Gwillimbury!

THREATENED BY URBAN SPRAWL, EAST GWILLIMBURY IS TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY CREATING A HIGH STANDARD FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

LEED Policy – The Town is adopting a policy that requires all new buildings and town facilities in the municipality to be LEED Silver certified. Major renovations to buildings will also require a LEED Silver certification beginning January 2010.

ENERGY STAR Standards – Construction of all new residential development of 10 or more units must meet the ENERGY STAR for New Homes qualifications.

TORONTO GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARD

Designed as a Toronto-specific, performance-based standard for green buildings, the targets aim to improve: (1) air quality; (2) energy use; (3) water quality and efficiency; (4) solid waste; (5) urban forestry and wildlife habitat; (6) light pollution; and (7) economic and social health. The goal is to guide City-owned development and encourage green development by the private sector. The standard is applicable to single, mid-rise and high-rise residential, commercial, industrial and institutional development. It is divided into five parts. The first lists the building features, the second identifies the existing guidelines, and the third sets the level of ‘greenness’ to achieve. The fourth part provides equivalent standards set out by other rating systems and the fifth offers strategies to achieve the targets set out by the standard. While the standard is currently voluntary, it is expected to become mandatory in the fall of 2009.

[ FULL REPORT HERE ]