New Construction Laws
New and upcoming construction laws, building codes and regulations across Canada, and what each change means for owners, buyers, contractors, trades, workers, suppliers and designers. Every entry links to the official source.
32 changes
Showing changes that affect general contractors, builders and construction business owners, with what each one means for you.
Coming up in the next 12 months
All upcoming-
Alberta residential builders must meet competency requirements for licences Alberta · in 2 months
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Nova Scotia energy Tier 2 and building Tier 3 scheduled Nova Scotia · in 5 months
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WorkSafeBC: new periodic equipment certification rules British Columbia · in 10 months
Changes for contractors
31 changes · page 1 of 3Alberta residential builders must meet competency requirements for licences
Comes into force Jan 1, 2027 · in 2 months
What it means for you: Before renewals from 2027, confirm your firm meets the competency requirements or renewal may be refused.
Affects Homebuyer Contractor
Nova Scotia energy Tier 2 and building Tier 3 scheduled
Comes into force Apr 1, 2027 · in 5 months
What it means for you: Price higher-performance envelopes and mechanicals into jobs permitted after April 1, 2027.
Affects Owner Contractor Trade contractor Supplier Designer
Yukon postpones automatic adoption of 2025 National Building Code to June 22, 2027
Comes into force Jun 22, 2027 · in 8 months
What it means for you: Permits stay on NBC 2020 until June 22, 2027. Builders can give input on exemptions during the engagement.
Affects Contractor Designer
WorkSafeBC: new periodic equipment certification rules
Comes into force Sep 1, 2027 · in 10 months
What it means for you: Review certification schedules for lifting and access equipment before September 1, 2027.
Affects Contractor Trade contractor Worker Supplier
Quebec extends building and electrical code transition periods by one year
In force since Sep 10, 2026
What it means for you: Work started before October 17, 2027 may follow the old building and electrical rules, so document start dates.
Affects Owner Contractor Trade contractor Designer
Small-scale multi-unit housing: Bill 25 widens zones that must allow 3–6 units
In force since Jun 30, 2026
What it means for you: Infill multiplex work expands on former single-family lots across BC municipalities.
Affects Owner Contractor Designer
Quebec Electrical chapter updated (CEC 2021 modified Quebec)
In force since Mar 26, 2026
What it means for you: Electrical contractors must apply CEC 2021 (modified Quebec) to new work, or document starts before the transition cut-off.
Affects Contractor Trade contractor Worker Supplier Designer
Construction Act: annual release timing and 7-day notice of termination
In force since Jan 1, 2026
What it means for you: A published termination notice starts lien-expiry clocks, so monitor for it and preserve liens quickly.
Affects Owner Contractor Trade contractor Supplier
Construction Act: annual holdback release, proper-invoice deeming, broader adjudication
In force since Jan 1, 2026
What it means for you: Holdback flows yearly on multi-year jobs. Invoices count as proper unless challenged within 7 days, and more disputes can go to adjudication.
Affects Owner Contractor Trade contractor Supplier Designer
Federal recognition of provincial trade and occupational licences
In force since Jan 1, 2026
What it means for you: Provincially licensed crews can be deployed on federally regulated work without separate federal credentialing.
Affects Contractor Trade contractor Worker Supplier
Buy Canadian policy: Canadian steel, aluminum and wood on large federal construction
In force since Dec 16, 2025
What it means for you: Bidders on large federal jobs must source and document Canadian steel, aluminum and wood before and during the contract.
Affects Homebuyer Contractor Trade contractor Supplier Designer
Working for Workers Seven: defibrillator reimbursement, safety-system procurement, ESA changes
In force since Nov 27, 2025
What it means for you: Expect AED duties on larger sites set by regulation, with WSIB reimbursement of the device cost.
Affects Owner Contractor Trade contractor Worker Supplier
Plain-language summaries by ArtBuild, checked against the official source on the date shown on each page. This is general information, not legal advice, and you are responsible for how you use it. Laws change: always read the official text, and we recommend asking a lawyer or the regulator about your situation.