The Policy and Government Relations (PGR) service area of the OAA has had a busy second half of 2023. Working collaboratively with other service areas, PGR staff closely monitored the continuing harmonization of the Ontario and National Building Codes, while also advancing legislative changes related to complete communities and the Greenbelt. PGR staff have actively participated in numerous consultations and facilitated the development of tools to enhance climate action through building design.

Queen’s Park Picks 2023

The OAA had another successful year of Queen’s Park Picks, which launched on October 3. This year, a staggering 48 nominations were received from 43 Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), marking the largest engagement in the history of the event. Due to MPPs observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on October 2, the event was quickly adapted into a virtual exhibit on the OAA’s website.

PGR staff, the OAA President, and the Chair of the OAA’s Policy Advisory Coordination Team (PACT) met with 12 MPPs to discuss housing affordability. The OAA also facilitated productive conversations with MPPs across Ontario and promoted the appreciation of architecture.

Building Code Harmonization

PGR staff work collaboratively with the Practice Advisory Services team to address the ongoing consultations on the harmonization of the Ontario Building Code with its National Code counterparts. In particular, PGR staff provided support for policy considerations related to energy efficiency and have engaged the Climate Action Advisory Group for their input on climate-related consultations.

Since the beginning of 2023, there have been four consultations, two of which were led by PGR with support from the Climate Action Advisory Group. To read the recent submissions made to the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes, click here.

Legislative Response

The OAA has continued to monitor the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, tracking the progress of new legislation introduced since the government’s return from the summer break. In response, OAA staff released a statement applauding government for its decision to restore the lands previously removed from the Greenbelt. In its statement, the OAA also reiterated its support for infill development as opposed to urban sprawl. This press release garnered media attention.

In October, the Ministry of Infrastructure introduced Bill 131, Transportation for the Future Act, 2023. The Bill is intended to facilitate the construction of more GO Transit stations, spur more housing and mixed-use communities around transit, and assist municipalities with a new funding tool known as the Station Contribution Fee. The OAA submitted comments in support of the Bill, in principle, on the sections of the proposal that encourage the creation of Transit-Oriented Development. These comments stress the importance of complete communities and the need for urban intensification as a means to address the housing affordability crisis. The submission also draws on the OAA’s comments on Bill 23, reiterating the need for urban intensification over urban sprawl. The OAA remains committed to collaborating with government and actively seeking opportunities to provide support and act as a resource where possible.

The OAA expressed its support for the City of Toronto’s proposed Building Emissions Performance Reporting Bylaw to the Infrastructure & Environment Committee’s November meeting. In its submission, the Association applauded the City for its ongoing leadership on climate action. It also advocates for all building sizes to disclose their building emissions report.

FARPACTA

Legislation brought forward by the provincial government in October includes amendments to the Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act (FARPACTA) and Canadian Experience Requirements. In response, PGR staff has been supporting the OAA’s Office of the Registrar with the amendments submitted to the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) and other partners. To read more on the upcoming modifications to the pathway to becoming an architect, click here.

Government Consultations

The OAA actively monitors legislative proposals and responds to various public consultations. A notable consultation the OAA participated in this year was led by the City of Toronto on the Major Streets Study for the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods initiative. This consultation provided staff with better insights into the anticipated changes to the City of Toronto concerning missing middle housing.

OAA President Settimo Vilardi met with the Associate Minister of Housing, Minister Rob Flack, to discuss the province’s upcoming modular housing framework. Through the discussions with Minister Flack, staff positioned the OAA and its members as a valuable resource to the Ministry in the framework’s development.

In late November, the OAA President and PACT Chair attended the 2023 Housing Forum led by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). Staff held productive discussions with various industry stakeholders and allied organizations of the housing industry. The OAA was able to present itself as a resource to government and looks forward to assisting government in solving the housing crisis in any capacity possible.

TEUI 2.0

The OAA has recently launched TEUI 2.0, building on the success of TEUI.ca. More complex than the original, TEUI 2.0 is focused on Part 3 buildings and offers drop-down menus for classification, area, compliance standards, and tiered building code options. Learn more about the two calculators on the OAA Website.

To learn more about the Policy and Government Relations services area of the OAA, visit the OAA’s GR Portal.