OntarioPassed44th Parliament, 1st Session

Bill 17 explained in plain English

Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025

Housing Transportation & Infrastructure

Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

How This Type of Bill Becomes Law Official source

At a glance

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Legislature / Parliament

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Session

44th Parliament, 1st Session

Bill number

Bill 17

Full title

Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025

Current status

Passed

Latest event

Royal Assent received

Last updated

Jun 5, 2025

Sponsor

Rob Flack

Official Legislative Assembly of Ontario snapshot for 44th Parliament, 1st Session. Representative vote breakdowns appear when the Assembly publishes an Ayes and Nays page for the bill.

Chamber

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Current Stage

Royal Assent received

Latest Activity

Jun 5, 2025

Sponsor

Rob Flack

Plain-language explanation

In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing

Short Version

The Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 amends various Ontario statutes to accelerate infrastructure and housing construction, streamline development processes, and modify development charges, while also revoking a regulation.

What It Means

This Act, known as the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, makes several changes to various Ontario laws. It aims to speed up construction of infrastructure and housing, simplify development approvals, and standardize municipal charges. Key changes include exemptions from development charges for long-term care homes, new rules for when development charges are payable, and amendments to planning and transit-related legislation. It also revokes one regulation.

What This Bill Does

Amends the Building Code Act, 1992 to restrict the powers of the Building Materials Evaluation Commission in certain situations and clarifies that municipalities cannot pass by-laws regarding building or demolition construction.
Amends the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 to redefine 'priority transit project' and 'provincial transit project'.
Amends the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to remove timing restrictions for placing portable classrooms on school sites and to establish rules for information prepared by professionals for the City.
Amends the Development Charges Act, 1997 to exempt long-term care home development from development charges, modify rules for when development charges are payable for certain residential developments, and adjust rules regarding development charge by-laws and credits.
Amends the Metrolinx Act, 2006 to allow the Minister to direct municipalities to provide information for transit projects and to update definitions related to municipal agencies and transit projects.
Amends the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011 to repeal certain sections and to allow the Minister to direct municipalities to provide information for government-funded projects, and revokes Ontario Regulation 378/24.
Amends the Planning Act to restrict official plans and zoning by-laws from prohibiting the use of urban residential land for elementary or secondary schools and their ancillary uses, requires ministerial approval for certain official plan amendments, and sets rules for building setbacks.
Amends the Transit-Oriented Communities Act, 2020 to change the definition of 'Minister' and expand the definition of 'priority transit project', and modifies rules around approvals and agreements for transit-oriented community projects.
Revokes Ontario Regulation 378/24.

Who Is Affected

Municipalities
Developers
Owners of land
The Province of Ontario (Minister and various ministries)
Metrolinx
Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation
Building Materials Evaluation Commission
Residents
Operators and residents of long-term care homes
School boards

Rights, Duties, Or Obligations

Municipalities may be directed to provide information and data to the Minister regarding transit projects.
Municipalities must comply with directives from the Minister regarding information for government-funded projects.
Developers may have development charges payable on occupancy for certain residential developments.
Municipalities are required to obtain written approval from the Minister before adopting certain official plan amendments.
Conditions may be imposed by the Minister on the use of land or the erection, location, or use of buildings or structures.
Owners of land may be required to enter into agreements with the Minister or a municipality regarding imposed conditions.
A municipality is not required to issue a building permit if development charges are unpaid.
The Minister may delegate powers related to transit projects to certain entities.

Important Dates

The Act received Royal Assent on June 5, 2025.
Most of the Act came into force on the day it received Royal Assent.
Various schedules have specific commencement dates, some on Royal Assent, some on July 1, 2025, and others on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Some provisions related to development charges payment timing and permit withholding come into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Official plan amendments adopted on or after May 12, 2025, without ministerial approval are deemed not adopted.
The exemption from development charges for long-term care homes does not apply to charges payable before the day section 1 of Schedule 4 came into force.

Financial Or Tax Impacts

Development of long-term care homes is exempt from development charges.
Development charges for certain residential developments may be payable on the earlier of permit issuance for occupancy or the day the building is first occupied.
Municipalities may charge interest on development charge instalments, but only for interest accrued before specific commencement dates.
Credits related to one service may be used towards a part of a development charge relating to that service when multiple services are deemed one service.

Enforcement Or Penalties

Agreements related to imposed conditions on land use or building construction can be enforced by the Minister or municipality against the owner and subsequent owners.
An order imposing conditions on land use or building construction is suspended until the Minister is satisfied the conditions are met.
Municipalities are not required to issue a building permit if development charges are not paid, subject to certain exceptions.

Uncertainties Or Limits

The exact date for the commencement of certain provisions related to development charges payment timing and permit withholding is not specified and will be determined by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
The specific 'prescribed circumstances' for requiring financial security for development charges and 'prescribed limitations' are not detailed in the provided text.
The definition of 'prescribed profession' is not provided.
The specific 'prescribed percentage' for building setback distances is not provided.
The specific 'prescribed circumstances' and 'limitations' for development charges payment under subsection 26.1 (3.2) are not detailed.
What constitutes a 'local service' can be determined by regulations.
The specific 'prescribed professions' for preparing information and material for planning purposes are not detailed.
The details of the investment policy for funds received by entities are not provided, other than it must be approved by the Minister of Finance.
The specific conditions or restrictions for the delegation of powers by the Minister are not detailed.
The specific 'public body' prescribed for delegation of powers under the Transit-Oriented Communities Act, 2020 is not detailed.
The specific requirements or prohibitions that prevail over official plans concerning information or material for planning purposes are subject to regulations.
The exact day for the coming into force of certain provisions in Schedule 2 of the Act is not specified and will be determined by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Laws Or Regulations Affected

Building Code Act, 1992

amends

Adds a restriction on the Building Materials Evaluation Commission's powers regarding innovative materials and clarifies municipal authority on building construction bylaws.

Source: SCHEDULE 1

Building Transit Faster Act, 2020

amends

Changes definitions related to 'priority transit project' and 'provincial transit project'.

Source: SCHEDULE 2

City of Toronto Act, 2006

amends

Removes timing restrictions for placing portable classrooms on school sites and establishes rules for information prepared by professionals for the City.

Source: SCHEDULE 3

Development Charges Act, 1997

amends

Exempts long-term care home development from development charges, modifies payment timing for certain residential developments, and adjusts rules for by-laws and credits.

Source: SCHEDULE 4

Metrolinx Act, 2006

amends

Allows the Minister to direct municipalities to provide information for transit projects and updates definitions related to municipal agencies and transit projects.

Source: SCHEDULE 5

Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011

amends

Repeals certain sections and allows the Minister to direct municipalities to provide information for government-funded projects.

Source: SCHEDULE 6

Planning Act

amends

Restricts official plans and zoning by-laws from prohibiting schools and their ancillary uses, requires ministerial approval for certain official plan amendments, and sets rules for building setbacks.

Source: SCHEDULE 7

Transit-Oriented Communities Act, 2020

amends

Changes the definition of 'Minister' and expands the definition of 'priority transit project', and modifies rules regarding approvals and agreements for transit-oriented community projects.

Source: SCHEDULE 8

Ontario Regulation 378/24

revokes

This regulation is no longer in effect.

Source: SCHEDULE 6

Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.

Official text

Process Snapshot

Step 1

First reading

May 12, 2025

Step 2

Second reading

Jun 2, 2025

Step 3

Committee review

Not reached yet

Step 4

Third reading

Jun 3, 2025

Step 5

Royal assent

Jun 5, 2025

Vote Summary

Yes

Abstain

Absent / Other

Final recorded vote

Jun 3, 2025

113 representative positions are recorded in this official snapshot for this vote.

Sponsor

Rob Flack

Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Elgin—Middlesex—London

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Representative Voting Breakdown

Vote badges include text labels so the table stays readable for everyone, even without color cues alone.

Representative	Role	Riding	Party	Vote	Notes
Adil Shamji MPP	MPP	Don Valley East	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Amarjot Sandhu MPP	MPP	Brampton West	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Andrea Hazell MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Guildwood	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Andrew Dowie MPP	MPP	Windsor—Tecumseh	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Anthony Leardi MPP	MPP	Essex	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Aris Babikian MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Agincourt	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Bill Rosenberg MPP	MPP	Algoma—Manitoulin	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Billy Denault MPP	MPP	Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Billy Pang MPP	MPP	Markham—Unionville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Riddell MPP	MPP	Cambridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Saunderson MPP	MPP	Simcoe—Grey	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Chris Scott MPP	MPP	Sault Ste. Marie	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Daisy Wai MPP	MPP	Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dave Smith MPP	MPP	Peterborough—Kawartha	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
David Smith MPP	MPP	Scarborough Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dawn Gallagher Murphy MPP	MPP	Newmarket—Aurora	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Deepak Anand MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Malton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Effie J. Triantafilopoulos MPP	MPP	Oakville North—Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Andrea Khanjin MPP	MPP	Barrie—Innisfil	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Caroline Mulroney MPP	MPP	York—Simcoe	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Charmaine A. Williams MPP	MPP	Brampton Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Downey MPP	MPP	Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Ford MPP	MPP	Etobicoke North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Ernie Hardeman MPP	MPP	Oxford	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. George Pirie MPP	MPP	Timmins	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graham McGregor MPP	MPP	Brampton North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graydon Smith MPP	MPP	Parry Sound—Muskoka	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Greg Rickford MPP	MPP	Kenora—Rainy River	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Jill Dunlop MPP	MPP	Simcoe North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kevin Holland MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Atikokan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kinga Surma MPP	MPP	Etobicoke Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Laurie Scott MPP	MPP	Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Lisa M. Thompson MPP	MPP	Huron—Bruce	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael A. Tibollo MPP	MPP	Vaughan—Woodbridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael Parsa MPP	MPP	Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael S. Kerzner MPP	MPP	York Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Neil Lumsden MPP	MPP	Hamilton East—Stoney Creek	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nina Tangri MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Streetsville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nolan Quinn MPP	MPP	Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Paul Calandra MPP	MPP	Markham—Stouffville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria MPP	MPP	Brampton South	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho MPP	MPP	Scarborough North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Rob Flack MPP	MPP	Elgin—Middlesex—London	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Sam Oosterhoff MPP	MPP	Niagara West	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stan Cho MPP	MPP	Willowdale	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Crawford MPP	MPP	Oakville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Lecce MPP	MPP	King—Vaughan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Steve Clark MPP	MPP	Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Sylvia Jones MPP	MPP	Dufferin—Caledon	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Todd J. McCarthy MPP	MPP	Durham	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Trevor Jones MPP	MPP	Chatham-Kent—Leamington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Victor Fedeli MPP	MPP	Nipissing	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Rouge Park	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Zee Hamid MPP	MPP	Milton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Jess Dixon MPP	MPP	Kitchener South—Hespeler	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Fraser MPP	MPP	Ottawa South	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Jordan MPP	MPP	Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Jonathan Tsao MPP	MPP	Don Valley North	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Joseph Racinsky MPP	MPP	Wellington—Halton Hills	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Karen McCrimmon MPP	MPP	Kanata—Carleton	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Laura Smith MPP	MPP	Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Lee Fairclough MPP	MPP	Etobicoke—Lakeshore	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Logan Kanapathi MPP	MPP	Markham—Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Lorne Coe MPP	MPP	Whitby	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Lucille Collard MPP	MPP	Ottawa—Vanier	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Matthew Rae MPP	MPP	Perth—Wellington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Michelle Cooper MPP	MPP	Eglinton—Lawrence	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Mohamed Firin MPP	MPP	York South—Weston	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Monica Ciriello MPP	MPP	Hamilton Mountain	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Natalie Pierre MPP	MPP	Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Paul Vickers MPP	MPP	Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Ric Bresee MPP	MPP	Hastings—Lennox and Addington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rob Cerjanec MPP	MPP	Ajax	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rudy Cuzzetto MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Lakeshore	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Sheref Sabawy MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Erin Mills	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Silvia Gualtieri MPP	MPP	Mississauga East—Cooksville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Stéphane Sarrazin MPP	MPP	Glengarry—Prescott—Russell	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephen Blais MPP	MPP	Orléans	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Ted Hsu MPP	MPP	Kingston and the Islands	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Tyler Allsopp MPP	MPP	Bay of Quinte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Tyler Watt MPP	MPP	Nepean	Ontario Liberal Party	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Will Bouma MPP	MPP	Brantford—Brant	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Aislinn Clancy MPP	MPP	Kitchener Centre	Green Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Alexa Gilmour MPP	MPP	Parkdale—High Park	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Bobbi Ann Brady MPP	MPP	Haldimand—Norfolk	Independent	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Catherine Fife MPP	MPP	Waterloo	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Catherine McKenney MPP	MPP	Ottawa Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chandra Pasma MPP	MPP	Ottawa West—Nepean	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chris Glover MPP	MPP	Spadina—Fort York	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Doly Begum MPP	MPP	Scarborough Southwest	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
France Gélinas MPP	MPP	Nickel Belt	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Guy Bourgouin MPP	MPP	Mushkegowuk—James Bay	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jeff Burch MPP	MPP	Niagara Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens MPP	MPP	St. Catharines	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer K. French MPP	MPP	Oshawa	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jessica Bell MPP	MPP	University—Rosedale	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
John Vanthof MPP	MPP	Timiskaming—Cochrane	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP	MPP	Toronto Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lise Vaugeois MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Superior North	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Marit Stiles MPP	MPP	Davenport	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mary-Margaret McMahon MPP	MPP	Beaches—East York	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mike Schreiner MPP	MPP	Guelph	Green Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peggy Sattler MPP	MPP	London West	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peter Tabuns MPP	MPP	Toronto—Danforth	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Robin Lennox MPP	MPP	Hamilton Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Sandy Shaw MPP	MPP	Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Sol Mamakwa MPP	MPP	Kiiwetinoong	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephanie Bowman MPP	MPP	Don Valley West	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephanie Smyth MPP	MPP	Toronto—St. Paul's	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Terence Kernaghan MPP	MPP	London North Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Teresa J. Armstrong MPP	MPP	London—Fanshawe	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Tom Rakocevic MPP	MPP	Humber River—Black Creek	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Wayne Gates MPP	MPP	Niagara Falls	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.

Official sources

Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.

How this data is sourced