New approach announced for National Model Codes
A new organization is assuming responsibility for the development of Canada’s National Model Codes.
The federal government announced on November 22 that the newly formed Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) would replace the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC), which had been responsible for managing the national code development system since 1991.
The creation of the CBHCC is part of a broader set of governance changes that also sees the dissolution of the Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on Codes (PTPACC), the group that previously advised the CCBFC on policy matters.
Under the new governance model, the Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy will oversee the CBHCC and include deputy-minister-level decision-makers from provincial, territorial and federal governments.
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.
The government says the changes will support the adoption of harmonized construction codes in Canada.
“To build a stronger economy and to reduce internal trade barriers, our government is adopting a more collaborative approach with provinces and territories to harmonize construction codes across the country,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “The new National Model Codes development system will ensure there is more consistency in innovative building techniques such as helping to meet energy efficiency standards. This will help to see more growth, more jobs, and better homes for Canadians.”
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 December 23, 2022.