We think the City’s Green Development Framework (GDF) is well done.
This is a suite of voluntary measures for developers that promote environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable development. It’s a forward-thinking move that deserves real credit and our support.
The GDF will shine a spotlight on the builders who are choosing to lead rather than lag. It gives homebuyers something they’ve never had before: a clear, comparable way to understand how a new home performs. It’s like the energy labels on refrigerators allow us to compare similar models for the most energy-efficient.
eMERGE sees this as:
But it’s not done yet as a final version is expected to go to City Council in the spring.
Here’s our take so far.
The Ontario Building Code (OBC) is the minimum energy and environmental performance you can legally use in new construction. The OBC and other planning tools have fallen behind. They have not kept pace with innovation, climate realities, or the expectations of today’s homebuyers.
To their credit, some Guelph builders and developers already recognize this and are delivering homes and communities far better than outdated standards require.
Now, the City of Guelph is stepping up with the introduction of the GDF —a suite of voluntary measures for developers that promote environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable development. This is a forward-thinking move that deserves real credit.
The GDF will shine a spotlight on the builders who are choosing to lead rather than lag. It gives homebuyers something they’ve never had before: a clear, comparable way to understand how a new home performs—just like the energy labels on refrigerators allow us to compare similar models for the most energy-efficient. If we expect transparency for everyday purchases, why shouldn’t we expect the same for the most expensive one of our lives?
Some developers will continue to build to the lowest allowable standard. That’s their choice. But the GDF empowers the market—and buyers—to reward those who aim higher. It introduces three performance tiers—Core, Mid-Range, and Highest—with the top tier aligning with Passive House and Net Zero criteria. And it goes beyond minimizing energy use, accounting for the carbon impact of building materials, developing better transportation routes and long-term community design. Resulting in more walkable and livable communities where a mix of housing, businesses (shops, restaurants, offices), and amenities (parks, schools) are all within close proximity.
At eMERGE, we strongly encourage the City to implement the GDF as soon as possible by aligning it with the impactful tools at their disposal such as the Official Plan, Secondary Plans and the planning approvals process.
A handful of builders are pushing back, much like appliance and car manufacturers once resisted energy labelling. But now, like then, transparency serves the consumer and the community first.
Ultimately, the GDF is about one simple principle: your right to know how your future home and neighbourhood measure up—so you can choose not just where to live, but how you want Guelph to grow.
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Background:
Our detailed comments on specific sections of the GDF
City of Guelph, Green Development Framework, Focus Groups Engagement, November 2025
Letter to GuelphToday: Consumer’s right to know: Guelph Green Development Framework
Prepared by
Diego Galdamez, eMERGE Policy Analyst; Evan Ferrari, Executive Director
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability
