As part of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement's Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table, the Government of Canada announced a new governance model for the National Model Code development system effective November 22, 2022. It replaces the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC), the committee responsible for code development in Canada since 1991. The new model integrates the provinces and territories into the national process to better respond to code priorities from jurisdictions and harmonize construction codes across Canada.
The new model code development system (see diagram) will continue to rely on the expertise and input from industry, the regulatory community, general interest groups, code users, interested organizations and the public.
A federal-provincial-territorial governance model
The new federal-provincial-territorial governance model is structured as follows:
Overall governance: Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy
The Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy (Codes Policy Table) comprises deputy minister-level representatives from the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The goal of the Codes Policy Table is to build national consensus and provide strategic policy direction and oversight for the development of the National Model Codes. It will be co-chaired by a representative from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) on behalf of the federal government and by a representative from the provinces and territories.
Code system management: Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes
The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (Codes Board) comprises federal, provincial and territorial representatives. The Codes Board is responsible for developing, approving and maintaining the National Model Codes based on the strategic priorities set by the Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy. The Codes Board will be co-chaired by a representative from the NRC on behalf of the federal government and by a representative from the provinces and territories.
Code content development: Technical committees
The technical committees provide support to the Codes Board in developing proposed code changes. These also include sub-committees and working groups to focus on specific code development areas and tasks simultaneously throughout the code development cycle. The technical committees are made up of technical subject-matter experts.
The current code development standing committees will remain in place until the next code development cycle begins in 2025, after which the technical committee areas of responsibility may be reassessed under the new codes governance model. A callout for members of the new technical committees will be announced as part of planning for the next code development cycle.
View the list of Codes Policy Table and Codes Board members
Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes
The Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes will be made up of industry, the regulatory community, emergency responders and other organizations with an interest in the regulation of building construction and operation through codes. It will provide the Codes Board with policy input and advice.
The codes community
The Codes Board will also engage with the broader codes community, including code users, interested organizations, and the public, for input on proposed code changes or development through public reviews and regular open Codes Board meetings.
Membership
Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy
Co-chair, Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy
President
National Research Council Canada, Canada
Co-chair, Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Government Relations, Saskatchewan
Acting Associate Deputy Minister
Office of Housing and Construction Standards & Multicultural & Anti-Racism, British Columbia
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Alberta
Deputy Minister
Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services, Manitoba
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ontario
Deputy Solicitor General
Community Safety, Ontario
Président-directeur général
Régie du bâtiment du Québec, Québec
Assistant Deputy Minister
Department of Justice and Public Safety, New Brunswick
Deputy Minister
Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Nova Scotia
Deputy Minister
Department of Agriculture and Land, Prince Edward Island
Deputy Minister
Digital Government and Service, Newfoundland and Labrador
Deputy Minister
Department of Community Services, Yukon
Deputy Minister
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Northwest Territories
Deputy Minister
Department of Community and Government Services, Nunavut
Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes
Provincial co-chair to be confirmed
Co-chair, Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes
Construction Research Centre, National Research Council Canada
Building and Safety Standards, British Columbia
Building/Fire/Accessibility Codes, Alberta
Building and Technical Standards, Saskatchewan
Building Codes, Manitoba
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ontario
Ministry of the Solicitor General, Ontario
Régie du bâtiment du Québec, Québec
Office of the Fire Marshall, New Brunswick
Office of the Fire Marshal, Nova Scotia
Land Division, Prince Edward Island
Service, Newfoundland and Labrador
Building Safety Standards, Yukon
Office of the Fire Marshall, Northwest Territories
Community and Government Services, Nunavut
Technical committee members
The current code development standing committees will remain in place until the next code development cycle begins in 2025. Following which, the technical committee areas of responsibility may be reassessed under the new codes governance model.
A callout for members of the new technical committees will be announced as part of planning for the next codes cycle.
