Overview of the EWRB
Introduced: 2017; phased in by 2023
Effective from: Reporting based on 2023 data onward
Region(s): Ontario, Canada with additional enforcement in Toronto for smaller buildings ≥10,000 ft² starting 2026
About the EWRB
Ontario’s Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) initiative mandates annual reporting of energy and water usage for large buildings, aiming to improve transparency and drive emissions reductions across the province’s built environment. Building owners must use ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager to benchmark consumption data. This publicly disclosed performance data encourages market-based competition for energy efficiency and supports climate goals through informed decision-making by tenants, investors, and municipalities.
The City of Toronto has implemented additional requirements through its own by-law (Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 367), which supplements provincial EWRB obligations with localized enforcement mechanisms and penalties.
Disclosure requirements
All covered buildings must report the following via ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager:
- Property type and physical characteristics
- Total floor area and number of occupants
- Energy consumption (electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, district energy, etc.)
- Water usage (indoor and outdoor, if available)
- ENERGY STAR® score (if applicable)
- Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
- Calculated Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions (based on fuel type and use)
The Ontario Ministry of Energy publishes aggregate and building-specific data on the province’s open data portal. Toronto also releases building-level scorecards through its own reporting platform.
Criteria for compliance
All privately owned commercial, industrial, and multi-residential buildings in Ontario ≥ 50,000 square feet (≈ 4,645 m²), including:
- Office buildings
- Retail spaces
- Hotels
- Warehouses
- Multi-unit residential buildings (≥ 10 units)
Not included
Federal, provincial, and municipal buildings are subject to separate regulations, though they may voluntarily participate in benchmarking programs.
Compliance timeline
Annual reporting deadline
July 1 of each year (for the previous calendar year’s energy and water data).
Verification requirement
Every five years, reported data must be independently verified by an approved professional.
- First five-year verification cycle: Completed in 2023–2024
- Next cycle begins 2028
Third-party assurance
Every five years, submitted data must be verified by one of the following:
- Licensed Architect
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)
- Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP)
Verification must follow Measurement and Verification (M&V) protocols recognized by the province.
Penalties for non-compliance
Ontario (provincial)
Administrative monetary penalties under the Electricity Act, up to C$10,000 per day for continued non-compliance.
Toronto (municipal)
Fines up to C$100,000, plus potential court costs and additional orders under Toronto’s Municipal Code Chapter 367.
