We are reaching out today to ask you to send a quick text message (see bottom of page) to Ontario Premier Doug Ford asking him to support amendments to Bill 98 and save green building standards (GBS).
Ontario’s Bill 98 Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, is currently being debated and likely to pass any day. The Ontario government introduced this omnibus bill on April 1 claiming it would standardize planning and increase housing construction. However, it also has the potential to severely limit municipal powers and wipe out green building standards - critical to meeting climate targets.
Text Doug Ford 647-612-3673 now and tell him why GBS makes financial sense for Ontario!!
By removing green building standards, the province isn’t speeding up housing builds, it’s ignoring the fact that green buildings are more efficient and resilient to impacts of extreme weather events. By allowing developers to cut corners when building our homes, the government is putting the burden of increased energy and maintenance costs onto building owners. Further the government is ignoring that the green buildings sector provides good green jobs in innovation, manufacturing and construction - 13,000 jobs in Toronto alone.
Help us save Green Building Standards in Ontario!
Last week an amendment was submitted by all three opposition parties that, if accepted, would allow municipalities to use the federal government’s 2025 National Model Codes which harmonize construction codes across the province while still being strong on green building standards. We need Doug Ford’s government to accept this amendment and keep building strong, green and resilient homes across the province.
Below are three possible options for your text message or, you can write your own based on the included talking points. We know that the government is hyper-focused on affordability, so texts making the connection between costs and GBS may carry more weight.
In addition to sending a text, you may consider taking action by calling or sending an email to your MPP. Both the Toronto Environmental Alliance and stand.earth pages have excellent tools for you to use!
Text message:
Number: 647-612-3673
Hello Premier Ford. My name is ______ and I live in the riding of _______.
Option 1
I’m texting you because I’m very concerned that Bill 98 will make monthly bills higher for residents. Toronto’s current energy efficiency requirements — which you supported as a city councillor — have collectively saved Toronto residents millions of dollars in reduced energy costs. If Bill 98 is passed as written, it will allow builders to construct less energy efficient buildings.
Option 2
I’m texting you because I’m very concerned that Bill 98 puts good jobs at risk in Toronto. Over 13,000 people are employed in the green buildings sector. I urge you to keep the province moving forward by amending Bill 98 and supporting green building standards by allowing municipalities to follow the federal building code. Keep Ontario working and keep energy bills down!
Option 3
Please consider the innovation, jobs and cost savings that Ontarians could have if your government supported amendments to Bill 98 that would allow municipalities to follow the federal building code and green building standards. Not only would this harmonize (and simplify) codes across the province for builders, it would support innovation in energy efficient technology and materials, all while supporting Ontario residents by lowering bills. It just makes sense!
Talking Points:
- Bill 98 eliminates mandatory local green standards for 16 municipalities, including Toronto
- Bill 98 will mean that new construction can be less energy efficient in Toronto
- As a City Council member, Doug Ford supported the Toronto Green Standard because it reduces monthly costs for residents
- Since the first mandatory green standard came into force in 2010, Toronto’s green building standards have collectively saved Torontonians millions of dollars in reduced monthly energy costs
- Developers are not incentivized to build good buildings with low monthly energy costs because they never have to live in them. Because they only sell buildings, it doesn’t matter to builders if they build leaky buildings that cost a lot of money to heat and cool.
____________________________________________
Sources:
https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/industry-sector-support/green/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://taf.ca/a-new-era-for-building-codes-in-canada/
https://environmentaldefence.ca/2026/04/01/bill-98-ignored-obstacles-to-efficient-housing-deprives-municipalities-of-key-tools/
https://www.torontoenvironment.org/premier_ford_hands_off_green_buildings
https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-98 | 
