Reconciliation Agreement Leading to Implementation Plan

With the recent signing of a reconciliation agreement on construction codes signed under the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), the Province is committed to further harmonizing the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code with the model National Construction Codes. A copy of the reconciliation agreement should be made public shortly.

The agreement means the technical content of the Ontario codes would begin to more closely reflect that of the model National Construction Codes. However, the provincial codes will continue to establish fire, health, safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency standards for buildings in the province. They will also maintain certain variations and exceptions that will differ from the model National Construction Codes.

The harmonization exercise is expected to be done in stages, with the first stage not expected until December 2021. Once this process is laid out, more details will be shared.