“Losing the green roof industry will be costly”: Toronto’s climate-friendly by-law dies without debate
Premier Doug Ford axed the pioneering policy as a repudiation of “red tape”
In 2010, Toronto became the first North American city to introduce a green roof by-law, which has since brought about more than 1,200 of these environmentally friendly real estate projects. But, quietly before the World Series, Doug Ford’s provincial government axed the municipal by-law by decree, on the grounds of reducing red tape. Now, its original advocates are crying foul.
A decree, or order-in-council, is an executive order that moves forward without debate or public consultation. And while this particular decree was included in Ontario’s Bill 60 (the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act), Housing Minister Rob Flack’s office told the Star in late October that he was not aware the motion would be passed without debate.
Related: Ontario’s housing minister may nix a development over a pharmaceutical company’s concerns
The green roof by-law was intended to help tackle urban heat, manage storm water and support the city’s larger climate goals. Its advocates are criticizing the Ford government’s move as backward in the face of the climate emergency and an attack on the green economy, especially given that green roof design and construction represents a roughly $50-million local industry.
“Losing the green roof industry would be costly economically and environmentally,” says Mary-Margaret McMahon, Liberal MPP for Beaches–East York and former city councillor. “It’s one of the most cost-effective forms of storm water management we have.”
Related: Swansea Mews to receive 650 new homes—three years after its ceiling collapsed
According to the city, green roofs divert 550 million litres of rainwater annually. They also reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. So, by extension, this form of climate-proofing helps homeowners save on insurance, maintenance and repairs. “Floods and extreme heat can destroy basements, wash out roads, cause widespread power outages, crack roofs and pipes, and steal people’s livelihoods—and lives,” McMahon says. “We cannot afford to lose another strategy of climate adaptation.”
Until November 3, all new commercial, institutional and multi-unit residential developments or additions with a gross floor area exceeding 2,000 square metres were subject to the by-law. Toronto no longer has the authority to enforce these requirements for private builders, but new city-built projects will continue to uphold green roof standards.
Teagan Sliz covers Ontario real estate for Toronto Life and Storeys. She also writes for Cottage Life and has reported on everything from hidden-gem restaurants to Canadian wildlife and forest fires. She graduated from Queen’s University with a bachelor’s in history and art history and from Centennial College, where she studied Canadian publishing.
