Transforming and modernizing the delivery of Ontario’s Building Code services

ERO number
019-0422
Notice type
Policy
Act
Building Code Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 23
Posted by
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Notice stage
Decision
Decision posted
Comment period
September 24, 2019 - November 25, 2019 (62 days) Closed
Last updated

This consultation was open from:
September 24, 2019
to November 25, 2019

Decision summary

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has introduced legislation to allow for the creation of an administrative authority to deliver building code services. No decisions have been made at this time about what services would be delivered.

Decision details

To help increase housing supply, the government is proposing amendments to the Building Code Act to enable the creation of an administrative authority that would help deliver faster, better and smarter services. The proposed legislative changes are enabling in nature and would allow for the future creation of an administrative authority to deliver delegated building code services. No decisions have been made at this time about what services a future administrative authority would deliver.

As part of consultations in 2019, we heard broad support for the transformation and modernization of many building code services. While no decisions have been made about what services a future administrative authority would deliver, based on consultation feedback, the government has decided not to pursue the development of a framework to enable the use of certified professionals.

The government is committed to continuing discussions with key building sector organizations in the coming months to inform the establishment of a future administrative authority, including governance, accountability, transparency, funding and other provisions.

This transformation and modernization of the delivery of building code services would support the promotion of the safe construction of buildings in Ontario and respond to the recommendations of the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry to protect public safety.

Comments received

Through the registry

110

By email

103

By mail

2
View comments submitted through the registry

Effects of consultation

Consultation feedback indicated broad support for the transformation and modernization of many building code services and other proposed changes.

  • Most stakeholders support the modernization of Building Code services to help them meet the complex and technical requirements of the Building Code while some sought additional information of the administrative authority service delivery model and what services it would deliver.
  • While no decisions have been made about what services a future administrative authority would deliver, based on consultation feedback, the government has decided not to pursue the development of a framework to enable the use of certified professionals.

We are committed to continued engagement with our sector partners to receive their feedback and to create an administrative authority that is transparent, accountable, and able to deliver services that meets industry needs in a modern and responsive way.

Over the coming months, we will continue to hold discussions with key stakeholder organizations on building code services transformation to ensure we are meeting sector needs while ensuring public health and safety standards are protected.

Supporting materials

View materials in person

Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.

Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.

Services Transformation Branch
Address

12th Floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON
M7A 2J3
Canada

Connect with us

Contact

buildingtransformation@ontario.ca

Office
Services Transformation Branch
Address

12th Floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON
M7A 2J3
Canada

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Original proposal

ERO number
019-0422
Notice type
Policy
Act
Building Code Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 23
Posted by
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Proposal posted

Comment period

September 24, 2019 - November 25, 2019 (62 days)

Proposal details

A new path forward for building code services

The $38 billion building industry sector is a key driver of Ontario’s economy and stakeholders have raised concerns about the need for better, modern and timely services and resources to support their ability to understand and apply the highly technical and complex Building Code requirements.

Supporting an increase of housing supply, supporting jobs, and streamlining development approvals are top priorities for the government.

To help achieve this, the government is considering new and improved Building Code services which would be delivered by an administrative authority to provide modern, efficient, user-centric services to the building sector and streamline customer service to all people across Ontario who use the Building Code.

The government is considering changes to:

  • strengthen public safety
  • streamline customer service and approval processes
  • deliver sector-driven services
  • provide timely and modern tools and products
  • promote consistency across the province
  • enhance integrity in the system

To ensure efficient, streamlined and sector-driven delivery of services, the administrative authority would be financially self-sustaining and would operate on a full cost-recovery basis. To do this, the administrative authority would charge fees for directly delivered services and collect a small levy calculated on estimated construction value on top of municipal building permits fees.

Theme 1: Getting people working in the building sector

The proposed enhanced and new services for consultation would look at ways to:

  • modernize the current Building Code examination process to ensure that building code professionals have the required legal and technical knowledge so that public safety is protected
  • help support municipalities with recruitment and retention of experienced building officials
  • potentially introduce the use of Coordinated Professionals to coordinate work of professionals involved in a project
  • potentially introduce the use of Certified Professionals to ensure Code compliance and streamline the permit approval process

Theme 2: Promoting sustainability and transparency in the Building Code profession

The proposed enhanced and new services for consultation would look at ways to:

  • transform the public registry and registration process to be more streamlined and user-friendly
  • require building code professionals to complete Continuing Professional Development activities regularly to maintain knowledge in their areas of practice so they can understand and apply new / amended Code requirements and promote public safety
  • establish a comprehensive, compliance-based, enforcement framework to ensure that building code professionals are meeting their qualification and registration requirements and are operating appropriately, which could include codes of conduct and annual attestations for all building code professionals, educational tools and resources, corrective actions for non-compliance such as financial penalties, a complaints process for public concerns, and increased transparency of disciplinary actions

Theme 3: Building Code administration and enforcement

The proposed enhanced and new services for consultation would look at ways to:

  • enhance municipal enforcement to promote public safety by allowing the use of administrative penalties to help municipalities address non-compliance and contraventions of the Building Code Act, 1992 and the building code
  • support local building service delivery by providing the option for smaller, rural, and/or northern municipalities to enter into an agreement with the administrative authority to deliver full or partial building services on their behalf
  • provide a more active enforcement approach in unincorporated areas

Theme 4: Improving building sector supports

The proposed enhanced and new services for consultation would look at ways to:

  • promote a consistent understanding and application of building code requirements by looking into additional and more comprehensive tools and services in a timely manner to provide clear, standardized, technical advice and interpretation
  • enable modern, digital services, which may include development of a digital version of the Building Code that meets the needs of users and supports municipal efforts to reduce building permit approval timelines
  • improve the quality and quantity of building industry data and research

Regional information sessions

Public information sessions will be held in October across Ontario where you can learn more about what is being proposed. The public is invited to drop-in between 5:30 and 7:00 PM at the open house session locations listed below to discuss transformation of Building Code services with ministry staff and ask any questions you may have.

  • Belleville: Friday, October 4, 2019 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM
      • Belleville Lions' Club - 119 Station Street, Belleville.
    • North Bay: Monday, October 7, 2019 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM
      • North Bay Memorial Gardens Arena - 100 Chippewa Street West, North Bay.
    • Chatham-Kent: Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM
      • Chatham Cultural Centre - 75 William Street North, Chatham.
    • Vaughan: October 16, 2019 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM
      • Vellore Town Hall - 9541 Weston Road, Woodbridge.

    Public survey

    You are also invited to participate in a survey to help us understand how you currently use Building Code services and to share your suggestions of how they could be improved. The survey can be found below in the supporting materials section of this Environmental Registry posting.

    Supporting materials

    View materials in person

    Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.

    Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.

    Building Services Transformation Branch
    Address

    777 Bay Street, 16th floor
    Toronto, ON
    M5G 2E5
    Canada

    Comment

    Commenting is now closed.

    This consultation was open from September 24, 2019
    to November 25, 2019

    Connect with us

    Contact

    buildingtransformation@ontario.ca

    Office
    Building Services Transformation Branch
    Address

    777 Bay Street, 16th floor
    Toronto, ON
    M5G 2E5
    Canada