New governance model for harmonized construction code development

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

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 Housing, Land and Communities, 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

Co-chair, Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes
Construction Research Centre, National Research Council Canada

Co-chair, Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes
Office of the Fire Marshal, Nova Scotia

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

Department of Housing, Land and Communities, 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.