Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed disappointment over the Ontario government’s decision to eliminate a 15-year policy mandating green roofs on new buildings in the city. As of November 3, Toronto can no longer enforce its Green Roof Bylaw, which had been part of Ontario’s Bill 60: Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, aimed at expediting infrastructure construction.
The bylaw, enacted in 2009, has led to over 1,200 green roof installations, contributing to $50 million in related design and construction. It provided significant environmental benefits, including diverting nearly 550 million liters of rainwater annually and reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to hundreds of cars off the road.
Chow’s press secretary highlighted that the bylaw not only benefited the environment but also helped manage costs for the city by alleviating pressure on the stormwater system, ultimately lowering infrastructure expenses and property taxes.
Experts, including Sarah Buchanan from the Toronto Environmental Alliance, warn that this decision will have negative consequences for residents, as green roofs are crucial for managing stormwater and reducing urban heat. With climate change intensifying, Buchanan argues that removing such protections is detrimental. A recent poll indicated that 92% of surveyed Torontonians support government requirements for building safety against extreme weather.
Despite the repeal, the city is committed to sustainable construction and will continue to implement green roofs on its own new developments.
