Ontario has introduced significant legislative changes that will affect planning, procurement, and environmental oversight. This article, which was originally published in the May 2026 edition of Practice Advisory newsletter, will continue to be updated with new information. It highlights three major developments: the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act (Bill 98), the newly released procurement directive under the Buy Ontario Act, 2025, and the amalgamation of conservation authorities. It outlines how these shifts may influence client expectations, project timelines, and professional practice across the province.
Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026
Bill 98, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, is an omnibus bill that is designed to speed up housing construction and infrastructure projects. Brought into force on June 2, 2026, the Bill, among other things, standardizes Official Plans across Ontario municipalities. This includes:
- ten standard chapters with standardized subsections;
- a standardized set of Schedules and Appendices; and,
- a standardized set of 12 land use designations, which are the ones that may be used in the Official Plans of lower- and single-tier municipalities.
Additionally, it prevents municipalities from enforcing bylaws that prescribe construction standards for the protection or conservation of the environment. This is achieved by deeming green standards as bylaws respecting the construction or demolition of buildings. Since the Building Code Act and the Code itself supersede all municipal bylaws respecting building construction and demolition, municipal green standards are no longer enforceable.
Read the OAA’s submission on Bill 98.
To read about the Bill, visit the Ontario government site.
Various groups are offering resources that explore Bill 98. These are shared below for informational purposes and may not reflect the views of the OAA.
"Ontario Enacts the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 to Streamline Planning Processes" (Dentons) July 10, 2026;
“Bill 98 receives Royal Assent: Why Ontario's Latest Housing Legislation Matters to Residential Developers” (Gowling WLG) June 11, 2026
“Ontario passes Bill 98 to Streamline Planning, Development, and Transportation Infrastructure” (Ontario Construction News) June 9, 2026;
“Ontario’s Bill 98 Receives Royal Assent, Bringing Refinements to Planning and Development” (Stikeman Elliott) June 3, 2026;
“Overview of Bill 98 Implications with Respect to Planning Matters” (City of Toronto) June 3, 2026; and
“Bill 98: Ontario’s Latest Push to Accelerate Housing and Transit Infrastructure” (Aird Berlis) June 2, 2026.
Buy Ontario Act, 2025
On March 30, 2026, the provincial government released a provincial and municipal procurement directive under the Buy Ontario Act, 2025, that mandate the prioritization of Ontario and Canadian goods and services in public procurements. In force since April 13, 2026, these requirements apply to new procurements that have not been issued as of that date.
The “Buy Ontario Procurement Directive” sets out the requirements public sector organizations must follow to prioritize Ontario and Canadian goods and services in procurement. Under it, “construction bidders” are now required to submit a Domestic Supply Chain Plan (DSCP) to verify the goods and services that they plan to use are from Ontario, Canada, or elsewhere. The Directive sets out how DSCPs may be used to help evaluate a bid. To learn more about the DSCPs and to read the new Directive, visit the Ontario government page.
You can also consult this OAA article, "Buy Ontario Act: How the 2026 Procurement Directive Impacts the Public Sector," which will continually be updated with additional information and resources.
Conservation Authorities and Framework for Future Amalgamation
Building on legislative and regulatory amendments in 2024 and 2025, the provincial government recently passed legislation that gives it the statutory framework to move forward with amalgamation of the current 36 conservation authorities into nine new authorities by February 1, 2027 or a later prescribed date. It has also created the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA).
Conservation authorities are local public-sector organizations established by the Province to develop and deliver local, watershed-based resource management programs on behalf of the province and municipalities. They are governed by the Conservation Authorities Act, which is administered by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks.
While construction projects may ultimately benefit from increased predictability and harmonization across jurisdictions, transition periods may introduce some complexity and uncertainty related to jurisdictional authority, information transfers, and review timelines.
It is important to note the implications of these changes are not only on future land uses, but also existing rights and permits. If practices have any questions about how these changes may impact current or future projects, they are strongly urged to speak to their clients and legal counsel to help assess risks and impacts.
You can read the now-closed environmental regulatory posting.
Legislative Changes and Impact on Clients, Projects, and Practices
The OAA continues to monitor these and other provincial initiatives that may affect planning frameworks, procurement processes, environmental oversight, and the day‑to‑day realities of architectural practice.
To access the latest policy updates, submissions, and regulatory summaries, members are encouraged to visit the OAA’s Government Relations portal and monitor biweekly OAA News e-newsletter.
This article originally appeared in an issue of Practice Advisory—a newsletter developed by the OAA’s Practice Advisory Services team, which offers numerous resources for both members and the public.
The OAA does not provide legal, insurance, or accounting advice. Readers are advised to consult their own legal, accounting, or insurance representatives to obtain suitable professional advice in those regards.