Provincial

Complex alternative to carbon tax questioned

Commercial and multi-residential real estate owners will catch a significant share of the fallout from Ontario's pending cap-and-trade system, but a projected natural gas price increase in the range of $0.84 to $1.05 per gigajoule is lower than carbon tax rates in British Columbia or Alberta.

Alberta carbon fees to fund energy efficiency

As outlined in the 2016 Alberta budget, carbon fees will show up differently in the key utilities of electricity and natural gas, creating a blend of transparent and more nebulous new costs.
wood-frame development

T.O.’s debut six-storey wood-frame development

Heartwood the Beach Condos, due to enter construction this spring, is likely to become Toronto’s debut six-storey wood-frame development.
Class A apartments

Ont private sector readies for energy reporting

Proposed amendments to Ontario's Green Energy Act signal the government's intention to mandate reporting of energy and water consumption in privately owned buildings.
Climate adaptation

Climate adaptation priority in trilateral efforts

North America leaders endorsed a new five-year CEC plan for better environmental management decisions. Climate change adaptation is one focus area.
ACP LEED

Toronto puts energy reporting proposal on pause

An energy reporting requirement for large buildings is likely coming to Toronto. The only question is: Will it come from the city or from the province?

Profits offered for curbing electricity demand

Ontario's Industrial Conservation Initiative relegates a larger majority of mostly commercial customers to carry a disproportionate share of the so-called Global Adjustment, which now accounts for about 60 per cent of the commodity cost of electricity.
cap-and-trade costs

Utilities flagged for cap-and-trade costs

Ontario's greater reliance on natural gas heating will likely make cap-and-trade charges more noticeable than they have been thus far in Quebec.

Ontario contemplates carbon pricing

Carbon pricing schemes could have varying impact on real estate depending on the measure chosen.
landscape

Red tape stifles Quebec’s green roofs

In Montreal, Saint-Laurent borough Mayor Alan DeSousa has a seemingly straightforward goal: to promote green roofs on private sector developments. DeSousa, who received the 2014

Compliance with AODA lessens liability risk

Many of Ontario’s building owners and managers are now struggling to decipher requirements for barrier-free access in the Ontario Building Code (OBC), under the Accessibility
sustainable

Workplaces may face radon testing requirements

A proposed bill would require owners of enclosed workplaces in Ontario to conduct radon testing and mitigate unsafe levels of the naturally occurring gas.
land transfer tax

Paybacks reflect carbon tax and offset costs

Carbon tax and offset requirements have begun to filter through to paybacks on energy saving measures in British Columbia and Quebec.
Urban growth

Planning for urban growth in Ontario

To manage urban growth in Ontario, the provincial government is seeking input the 10-year review of its Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Queen's Park

Ontario Municipal Board reform still polarizing

Calls for Ontario Municipal Board reform are on the rise. But the OMB is a contentious issue, and experts cannot agree on how to move forward.

Ontario making changes to electricity planning

The Minister of Energy affirmed Ontario's intention to improve upfront consultation and integrate electricity planning into municipalities' official plans.
Legal Law Court

Small environmental impacts must be reported

A recent Supreme Court decision means that property managers should report all irregular environmental discharges, even if it doesn't appear damaging.