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Show everything →For owners & developers in all of Canada: 2 later, 28 already in force, 6 announced.
Coming into force 2
Add to calendar →Dates are set: plan for these now. Each line says what it means for you.
In force 28
These already apply. Each line says what it means for you.
- Quebec extends building and electrical code transition periods by one yearProjects starting before October 17, 2027 may still use the older code editions.
- Manitoba's Technical Safety Act replaces the Elevator Act, with new permits, licences and incident reportingElevator owners need installation and operating permits, must keep work to code, and must report dangerous incidents.
- Manitoba's Buy Canadian Act lets government favour Canadian suppliersAs a public project owner, the Manitoba government must buy from Canadian suppliers when possible and may favour them.
- Small-scale multi-unit housing: Bill 25 widens zones that must allow 3–6 unitsMore lots can legally host 3–6 units without rezoning.
- Manitoba adopts the 2024 Canadian Electrical CodeElectrical work on new builds and renovations must meet CSA C22.1:24 with Manitoba amendments.
- Construction Act: annual release timing and 7-day notice of terminationAfter terminating a contractor, publish the notice within 7 days. Release annual holdback 60–74 days after the notice.
- Construction Act: annual holdback release, proper-invoice deeming, broader adjudicationYou must track contract anniversaries, publish annual holdback release notices and respond to invoice deficiencies within 7 days.
- Buy Canadian policy: Canadian steel, aluminum and wood on large federal constructionFederal departments commissioning large construction must evaluate bids with Canadian content and materials criteria, with exceptions for major delays or no Canadian supply.
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- Working for Workers Seven: defibrillator reimbursement, safety-system procurement, ESA changesPublic owners may be required by regulation to recognize accredited safety management systems in tenders.
- New Builders' Lien Act replaces the Mechanics Lien Act in the Northwest TerritoriesHold back 10% on contracts signed from September 1, 2025. Money received for the project is trust money.
- PEI requires certified installers and a permit for fire alarm, sprinkler and suppression systemsFire alarm, sprinkler or suppression work in your building needs a Fire Marshal installation permit before it starts.
- PEI's new Fire Safety Act in force: 2024 NFPA codes, NFC 2020 and fire plan reviewSubmit plans to the Fire Marshal before building or altering storage buildings, short-term lodging houses or rental houses.
- Manitoba rental housing construction tax credit rules setRental projects with 4 or more units may qualify. Get a certificate of eligibility and track affordable-unit rents and tenants.
- Nova Scotia eases building code rules for certified modular and manufactured homesCSA A277-certified modular and manufactured homes can move through permitting with less on-site code review.
- Nunavut fixes its fire code at the National Fire Code 2015 and updates fire-department equipment standardsFire-safety inspections of buildings in Nunavut apply NFC 2015 (first printing). Later national fire code editions do not apply automatically.
- Building Canada Act fast-tracks federal approvals for designated national interest projectsProponents of listed national interest projects get one consolidated federal authorization document instead of separate permits.
- Bill 17: development charge deferral, limits on municipal construction by-lawsDevelopment charges for for-sale housing can be deferred to occupancy, though municipalities may require security.
- New Brunswick fire inspections now use the 2020 National Fire and Building CodesFire inspections of existing buildings are now measured against NFC 2020 and NBC 2020.
- New Brunswick adopts 2020 national codes with Energy Tier 2 minimumNew homes must meet Tier 2 energy performance, which can raise build cost but lower energy bills.
- Quebec Construction Code Chapter I updated to NBC 2020 (modified Quebec)Existing building owners face new Safety Code duties such as hot-work protection and fire safety plan compliance.
- Manitoba prompt payment and adjudication in forcePay proper invoices within 28 days, or give a notice of non-payment within 14 days.
- GST/HST rebate of up to $50,000 for first-time buyers of new homesAn owner-builder who is a first-time buyer may claim the rebate if construction started on or after March 20, 2025.
- BC Building Code 2024 seismic and adaptable-dwelling rules take effectIn-stream projects designed under the 2018 code must apply for permits before March 8, 2027 to avoid redesign.
- Encapsulated mass timber buildings allowed up to 18 storeysDevelopers can choose mass timber for taller mid-rise and high-rise projects.
- 2024 Ontario Building Code in effect (harmonized with NBC 2020)Permits applied for from April 1, 2025 must show compliance with the 2024 code.
- Underused Housing Tax ended from the 2025 calendar yearNo UHT return or tax for 2025 onward, but any unfiled 2022–2024 returns and penalties are still owed.
- Newfoundland and Labrador updates public-works tender thresholds and the 10% local bid preferenceAs a public project owner, use the new open-call thresholds and apply the 10% provincial-supplier reduction where it applies.
- Newfoundland and Labrador adopts new national building and fire code editions automatically 6 months after publication (houses excluded)For commercial and multi-unit buildings, plan reviews follow the newest national code edition once the 6-month period has passed.
Announced 6
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)Owner-builders will need staged inspections and a certificate of conformity for covered buildings.
- Saskatchewan proposes adopting 2025 national codes on January 1, 2027Projects permitted after the proposed date may face 2025-code requirements. Check timing before applying for permits.
- New Home Buyer Protection Act changes: caveats on warranty-exempt homes, appeal rightsOwner-builders get faster approvals but a title caveat if they sell without warranty.
- BC Construction Prompt Payment Act passed (not yet in force)Once in force, pay proper invoices within 28 days or issue a non-payment notice within 14 days.
- New Consumer Protection Act, 2023 (not yet proclaimed)When proclaimed, homeowners gain stronger cancellation rights for non-compliant or one-sided renovation contracts.
- 2025 National Model Codes published (not yet law until adopted)Future renovations may trigger energy efficiency upgrades once a province adopts the alteration provisions.