"Rules to ensure new homes use less energy could reduce homeowners’ bills. But at a meeting between the province and federal government, Ontario said it’s focused on building fast and cheap".
"In its push to speed up housing development, Ontario has delayed committing to federal strategies that would help lower energy bills in new homes, documents obtained by The Narwhal show.
Last fall, officials from three provincial ministries — energy, environment and municipal affairs and housing — attended a virtual meeting with Natural Resources Canada as the federal department put together its green buildings strategy, which is expected later this year. Natural Resource notes obtained through freedom of information legislation show federal officials were looking to “reach consensus” with provinces and territories on timelines and commitments for more stringent energy codes for existing and future buildings.
While Ontario officials acknowledged the need for such measures in theory, officials stalled on timelines and demurred on details as they focused on “the province’s need to make major progress in housing stock development,” namely making good on Premier Doug Ford’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. Officials expressed concern that such standards would “affect their goal.”"
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