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Show everything →For contractors in all of Canada: 1 change comes into force in the next 3 months, 3 later, 39 already in force, 8 announced.
Coming into force 4
Add to calendar →Dates are set: plan for these now. Each line says what it means for you.
- Alberta residential builders must meet competency requirements for licencesBefore renewals from 2027, confirm your firm meets the competency requirements or renewal may be refused.
- Nova Scotia energy Tier 2 and building Tier 3 scheduledPrice higher-performance envelopes and mechanicals into jobs permitted after April 1, 2027.
- Yukon postpones automatic adoption of 2025 National Building Code to June 22, 2027Permits stay on NBC 2020 until June 22, 2027. Builders can give input on exemptions during the engagement.
- WorkSafeBC: new periodic equipment certification rulesReview certification schedules for lifting and access equipment before September 1, 2027.
In force 39
These already apply. Each line says what it means for you.
- Quebec extends building and electrical code transition periods by one yearWork started before October 17, 2027 may follow the old building and electrical rules, so document start dates.
- Manitoba's Technical Safety Act replaces the Elevator Act, with new permits, licences and incident reportingElevator installation in new buildings needs an installation permit under the new Act before operation.
- Manitoba's Buy Canadian Act lets government favour Canadian suppliersExpect Canadian-content considerations in provincial purchases of goods.
- Small-scale multi-unit housing: Bill 25 widens zones that must allow 3–6 unitsInfill multiplex work expands on former single-family lots across BC municipalities.
- Manitoba adopts the 2024 Canadian Electrical CodeElectrical permits and inspections apply the 2024 CEC from April 1, 2026.
- Freehold new-home buyers must register their purchase with Tarion within 45 days; deposit coverage changes start January 1, 2027Remind freehold buyers to register with Tarion. Unregistered sales can draw scrutiny and leave buyers with weaker deposit protection.
- Quebec Electrical chapter updated (CEC 2021 modified Quebec)Electrical contractors must apply CEC 2021 (modified Quebec) to new work, or document starts before the transition cut-off.
- Nova Scotia accepts CCMC, Ontario BMEC and ICC-ES product evaluation reports, and sets Energy Tier 3 pointsBuilding officials can accept CCMC, BMEC or ICC-ES evaluation reports for innovative products.
Show 31 more
- Construction Act: annual release timing and 7-day notice of terminationA published termination notice starts lien-expiry clocks, so monitor for it and preserve liens quickly.
- Construction Act: annual holdback release, proper-invoice deeming, broader adjudicationHoldback flows yearly on multi-year jobs. Invoices count as proper unless challenged within 7 days, and more disputes can go to adjudication.
- Federal recognition of provincial trade and occupational licencesProvincially licensed crews can be deployed on federally regulated work without separate federal credentialing.
- Buy Canadian policy: Canadian steel, aluminum and wood on large federal constructionBidders on large federal jobs must source and document Canadian steel, aluminum and wood before and during the contract.
- Working for Workers Seven: defibrillator reimbursement, safety-system procurement, ESA changesExpect AED duties on larger sites set by regulation, with WSIB reimbursement of the device cost.
- Quebec construction industry reform: versatility, mobility and access measures phased inMore flexibility to assign related tasks across trades and to move experienced crews between regions.
- Nova Scotia employers must have a written workplace harassment prevention policyAdopt a written harassment prevention policy, train site staff on it, and review it at least every 3 years.
- New Builders' Lien Act replaces the Mechanics Lien Act in the Northwest TerritoriesUse the new Act for contracts from September 1, 2025: 10% holdback, trust duties and 60-day lien preservation windows.
- PEI requires certified installers and a permit for fire alarm, sprinkler and suppression systemsSchedule the Fire Marshal installation permit and use certified installers for fire alarm, sprinkler and suppression scopes.
- PEI's new Fire Safety Act in force: 2024 NFPA codes, NFC 2020 and fire plan reviewConfirm the fire plan review is done before starting covered projects, and build to the 2024 NFPA and NFC 2020 provisions.
- Manitoba rental housing construction tax credit rules setDeveloper clients may time rental projects around the credit, which can shape scope and schedule.
- Nova Scotia eases building code rules for certified modular and manufactured homesUse CSA A277-marked modules or panels to rely on deemed compliance. Otherwise, arrange an off-site review.
- Nunavut fixes its fire code at the National Fire Code 2015 and updates fire-department equipment standardsBuild fire-safety features to NFC 2015 requirements as adopted in Nunavut, not to newer national editions.
- Clean washrooms (from July 1, 2025) and posted cleaning records (from January 1, 2026) on construction projectsAs constructor, keep site washrooms clean, post the two most recent cleanings, and keep six months of servicing records.
- CCMC-evaluated innovative products no longer need an Ontario Minister's RulingCCMC-evaluated products can be used without waiting for a separate Ontario ruling.
- Building Canada Act fast-tracks federal approvals for designated national interest projectsListed major projects may reach construction faster, and the five-year start deadline can shape project schedules.
- Bill 17: development charge deferral, limits on municipal construction by-lawsBuilders face more uniform construction rules province-wide and lower up-front financing costs for development charges.
- New Brunswick fire inspections now use the 2020 National Fire and Building CodesFire-safety work and inspections follow the 2020 national fire and building codes.
- New Brunswick adopts 2020 national codes with Energy Tier 2 minimumBuild to NBC 2020 and Tier 2 envelope and mechanical performance on permits from May 1, 2025.
- Quebec Construction Code Chapter I updated to NBC 2020 (modified Quebec)Build to NBC 2020 (modified Quebec), or use the old rules only within the extended transition period.
- Nova Scotia adopts 2020 national codes with phased tiersTrack which tier applies on each permit date, as requirements step up yearly through 2029.
- Manitoba prompt payment and adjudication in forcePay subcontractors within 7 days of receiving payment. If the owner doesn't pay, you still owe them by day 35.
- Alberta OHS Code updates fully in effect (harassment and violence, explosives)Update harassment and violence prevention plans and any explosives procedures to the amended Code.
- GST/HST rebate of up to $50,000 for first-time buyers of new homesA builder can credit the rebate at closing, so price lists and agreements of purchase and sale need FTHB eligibility wording.
- BC Building Code 2024 seismic and adaptable-dwelling rules take effectHigher seismic detailing, especially in the Capital Regional District and Lower Mainland, raises structural scope and cost.
- Encapsulated mass timber buildings allowed up to 18 storeysTaller timber projects open up, and they need EMTC sequencing and fire-protection expertise.
- 2024 Ontario Building Code in effect (harmonized with NBC 2020)Build to the NBC-based compendium, as Parts 3, 7 and 9 changed. Building Code exams switched to 2024 content on March 30, 2026.
- Underused Housing Tax ended from the 2025 calendar yearBuilders holding unsold or vacant inventory homes no longer face UHT filing for 2025 onward.
- Newfoundland and Labrador updates PPE rules: CSA Z96 high-visibility apparel and respirator fit testingProvide CSA Z96 high-visibility apparel near traffic and equipment, and fit-test tight-fitting respirators.
- Newfoundland and Labrador updates public-works tender thresholds and the 10% local bid preferenceLocal contractors get a 10% evaluation price reduction on qualifying public works under $6,943,900.
- Newfoundland and Labrador adopts new national building and fire code editions automatically 6 months after publication (houses excluded)Expect fire and life-safety plan reviews for projects other than houses to apply the newest national code edition.
Announced 8
Passed or proposed, not in force yet. Dates can change. Each line says what it means for you.
- Mandatory construction-stage inspections and certificate of conformity (law adopted, regulation pending)Plan for a site supervision plan and stage inspections on covered projects once the regulation is in force.
- RBQ tightens contractor licence applications (ownership, bankruptcies, criminal records)Licence applications and changes need extra ownership, bankruptcy and criminal-history disclosures.
- Saskatchewan proposes adopting 2025 national codes on January 1, 2027Prepare for 2025-code requirements on permits issued after the proposed January 1, 2027 date.
- Saskatchewan reverts to Tier 1 energy efficiency for housing and small buildingsPart 9 homes can be built to Tier 1 instead of higher tiers, reducing envelope and mechanical costs.
- New Home Buyer Protection Act changes: caveats on warranty-exempt homes, appeal rightsLicensing and warranty dispute rules will change through future regulations.
- BC Construction Prompt Payment Act passed (not yet in force)Get paid within 28 days of proper invoices, but you must pay subs within 7 days of receiving funds.
- New Consumer Protection Act, 2023 (not yet proclaimed)Renovation contract templates will need review for prohibited terms and disclosure before proclamation.
- 2025 National Model Codes published (not yet law until adopted)Plan for adoption dates in each province, e.g., Saskatchewan proposes January 1, 2027 and Yukon June 22, 2027.