The new Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) is now responsible for the development of Canada’s National Model Codes. The CBHCC replaces the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) – the committee responsible for managing the national code development system in Canada since 1991.
The creation of the CBHCC is part of a broader set of governance changes including the dissolution of the Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on Codes (PTPACC), which previously advised the CCBFC on policy matters. Under the new governance model, strategic policy direction will be set by the Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy, which will oversee the CBHCC and include deputy-minister-level decision-makers from provincial, territorial and federal governments.
The governance changes are a significant step towards supporting the adoption of harmonized construction codes in Canada. The new model will remove barriers to the free movement of goods, services, and investments within Canada.
The new governance model will also include an Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes consisting of members from industry, the regulatory community, and other interested organizations which will provide policy advice to the CBHCC. The broader code community, including code users, interested organizations and members of the public, will continue to participate in the code development process by attending open meetings and providing feedback during public reviews of proposed code changes.
Endorsed by provincial, territorial, and federal jurisdictions, the agreement includes commitments to reducing variations in technical requirements between codes, for more timely adoption, and for a transformed national code development system that meets the needs of all jurisdictions.
The standing committees, task groups and working groups that develop code change proposals remain in place at the time of transition.
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) will continue to publish the codes, and provide administrative, technical, and policy support to the code development system.
