Ontario's housing minister is contemplating an order that could prevent the construction of hundreds of new rental homes in Toronto. This decision comes in response to concerns raised by Sanofi Pasteur, a pharmaceutical company located near the proposed development site. The project, which includes three high-rise buildings at Steeles Avenue West and Dufferin Street, has faced opposition from Sanofi since 2022. The company argues that having hundreds of residents nearby poses a "national security" risk due to the visibility of its vaccine research facilities. Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s minister of economic development, job creation, and trades, has requested that the housing minister issue a minister’s zoning order (MZO) to limit the height of the buildings to 33 meters, or about 10 stories. MZOs are typically used to expedite development but can also restrict it. The Ford government has emphasized the need for increased housing, making this potential MZO particularly controversial. The developer, Tenblock, claims that the height restriction would render the project unfeasible. "The site needs the density of market housing to help pay for and make the whole project viable together. So we just can't proceed at that reduced height," said Stephen Job, vice-president of Tenblock. The existing four-story building on the site is aging and lacks amenities. The new development aims to replace it and add over 800 rental units, some of which would be affordable. Sanofi has not provided an interview but expressed appreciation for the province's support of the life sciences sector in a statement. Meanwhile, Tenblock has hired a security expert who argues that the concerns raised by Sanofi are unfounded. Andrew Chester, president and CEO of Juno Risk Solutions, stated, "I wasn't able to find any evidence that the construction of taller apartment buildings would heighten security risks for Sanofi Pasteur." Chester, who has a background in naval intelligence, noted that there are already many vantage points from which to view the Sanofi property. He suggested that the proposed height limit would not significantly change the security landscape. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is currently accepting public input on the MZO proposal. Housing advocacy groups have expressed concern about the implications of such an order. Colleen Bailey from More Neighbours Toronto highlighted the need for more rental housing in the area, stating, "It's unfortunate on two levels. Obviously, it's not really in line with the priority of building homes. But then it also sends a message to anyone looking to build that this could happen to them." Another developer, First Capital REIT, is also worried about the potential impact of an MZO on its own high-rise proposal nearby, which aims to add over 1,000 residential units. Joshua Butcher, the company’s senior director of development, expressed concern that a similar order could be imposed on their project after a city council decision. As the situation develops, the future of the proposed rental housing project remains uncertain, with significant implications for housing availability in Ontario.