The Town of East Gwillimbury is updating the Thinking Green! Development Standards - a set of guidelines that help shape how new buildings and neighbourhoods are designed, built, and evaluated across our community. These standards ensure that growth in East Gwillimbury reflects modern sustainability goals and supports healthier, greener development. 

Upcoming Public Information Session

Attend the upcoming Public Information Session for the Thinking Green! Development Standards on Thursday, February 19, 2026. There will be two sessions from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Civic Centre located at 19000 Leslie Street in Sharon.

Public consultation

Attend the upcoming Public Information Session for the Thinking Green! Development Standards on Thursday, February 19, 2026. There will be two sessions from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Civic Centre located at 19000 Leslie Street in Sharon.

Project updates
  • Thinking Green! Development Standards Presentation (January 20, 2026)
  • Thinking Green! Development Standards Process Update Memo (May 21, 2025)
  • Thinking Green! Development Standards Process Update Presentation (May 21, 2025)

Project background

The Thinking Green! Development Standards (TGDS) update was initiated by the Town of East Gwillimbury to ensure our sustainable development guidelines remain current, effective, and aligned with community priorities. East Gwillimbury was one of the first municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to adopt green development standards, and the original TGDS program was developed in 2012 with a previous update in 2018. However, since that time, best practices in sustainable building and planning have evolved, and a full update is now needed to keep pace with those changes.

The TGDS update aligns with the Town’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, under the priority of Environmental Stewardship, and supports our commitments under the Climate Emergency Declaration and the Town’s Environmental Strategy. This means the updated standards will not only guide sustainable development, but also help East Gwillimbury address climate change and protect natural features as the community grows.

To complete the update, the work is divided into two phases:

  • Phase 1 (2024) established the foundation for the full update - clarifying objectives, guiding recommendations, and securing grant funding to support the detailed work ahead.

  • Phase 2 (2025–2026) focuses on drafting the revised standards, updating metrics, creating a more user-friendly guidebook, and consulting with Council, the development community, and other stakeholders.

This structured process ensures the new TGDS will reflect both regional best practices and the Town’s own sustainability goals, guiding future development in a way that balances environmental protection and community needs. 

Stay involved

The Town will share updates as the project progresses, including opportunities for feedback and community engagement. Bookmark this page and check for announcements, presentations, and opportunities to learn more about how East Gwillimbury is planning for a greener future.

Please contact us for more information or to provide feedback:

Contact Cristina Ross, Environmental Initiatives Program Manager

Contact Jack Krubnik, Acting General Manager of Development Services

 Email us at environment@eastgwillimbury.ca 

Planning Studies Environmental Strategy