Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025
May 12, 2025
OTTAWA, May 12, 2025 – Housing must be a cornerstone of Ontario’s strategy to remain competitive and resilient in the face of global economic disruption. With the introduction of the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, the province is taking meaningful steps to get more homes built and protect the dream of home ownership for future generations.
If passed, the bill will help accelerate homebuilding and infrastructure development by streamlining planning approvals, standardizing development charges (DCs), and harmonizing building and road construction standards across municipalities. It would also remove barriers to innovation in construction, support transit-oriented communities, and reduce costly local development fees to make housing more affordable and accessible.
These measures include policy recommendations like reforming DCs, streamlining approvals and permitting new innovative housing types championed by the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and REALTOR® associations from across the province.
Since 1921, the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) has been a trusted industry association. OREB’s over 4,000 REALTORS® are directly engaged with the housing needs and challenges of Ontarians every day. We are proud to contribute expert insight, data, and on-the-ground experience to support evidence-based policymaking.
OREB would like to thank Minister Flack for introducing this important piece of legislation. Given the size and scale of the housing affordability challenge, OREB encourages the province to continue to advance more policy changes in the weeks and months ahead. As a key partner, OREB is an advocate for a healthy residential and commercial housing environment that is affordable, accessible, and resilient for homeowners, renters, businesses and everyone who needs a place to live, work and thrive.
Now is the time to double down on our efforts to restore the dream of homeownership for hardworking families in Ottawa and across the province.
Paul Czan
2025 OREB President
