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New board formed to harmonize construction codes across Canada

Nov. 23, 2022, Ottawa – The newly formed Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) replaces the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) and has assumed responsibility for the development of Canada’s National Model Codes.

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.

The governance changes are a significant step towards supporting the adoption of harmonized Construction Codes in 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 National Research Council of Canada (NRC) will continue to publish the codes, and provide administrative, technical, and policy support to the code development system.

The ongoing public review of proposed changes to the 2020 editions of the National Model Codes will continue until Dec. 23, 2022.