Update on the Net Zero Buildings Strategy and Implementation of Mandatory Emissions Performance Standards: City of Toronto

City Council on October 11 and 12, 2023, adopted the following:

1. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, to:

a. include in the ongoing intergovernmental strategy for TransformTO and the City’s climate goals, the expectation that the federal government will provide funding support for both current and future programs aimed at decarbonizing buildings in Toronto; and

b. advocate that the federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit be expanded to non-taxable entities, emphasizing that municipal access to this program will greatly improve the ability for cities across Canada to reach net zero buildings targets.

2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, to work with Toronto Hydro to include, in the fourth quarter of 2024 report on Emissions Performance Standards, a summary of Toronto Hydro’s resources, financing programs, rebates, incentives and other initiatives available to assist building owners in improving efficiency, reducing emissions and achieving the City’s mandatory emissions performance standards.

3. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with relevant City Divisions and Agencies, to prioritize supporting equity-deserving groups into the design principles for new or improved program offerings aimed at building decarbonization.

4. City Council direct the City Manager to advocate to the Government of Canada, urging the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation to offer guarantees for municipally-sponsored local improvement charge financing programs, such as the Home Energy Loan Program, in line with the recommendations by the Government of Canada’s Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance.

5. City Council direct the City Manager, in collaboration with the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, and the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to incorporate tenant protection measures into both current and future program offerings to safeguard tenants from above-guideline rent increases and evictions resulting from renovations by landlords who have received funding or financing from the City of Toronto, including exploring the feasibility of prohibiting property-owners who have received funding or financing from the City of Toronto from using the related projects to apply for above-guideline rent increases at the Landlord Tenant Board.