BC-Transforming_Sept-19-FINAL copy.pdf 210 KB

On September 24th, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced that it would be looking to modernize services related to the Ontario Building Code with an aim to speed up the construction of new housing and building projects.

With the release of the discussion paper "Transforming and Modernizing the Delivery of Ontario's Building Code Services", the province is consulting until November 25th on the creation of a new Administrative Authority. This will transfer service delivery from the Ministry, and aim to deliver a suite of enhanced and new user-driven services as a model to promote consistency to building code interpretation and application, and better support the sector. Some examples of additional items the province is consulting on:

• Building code examinations development and delivery
• Pre-qualification training
• Recruiting experienced building code professionals including a discussion around implementing a provisional licence framework
• Promoting a consistent application of code requirements
• A modernized digitally-based suite of building code resources to improve front-line service delivery, e-permitting, and support municipal efforts to reduce building permit approval timelines.

What you need to know:

1. Regarding licensed professionals under the Ontario Build Code (OBC) like BCIN holders, this Authority would regulate them, including improving the examination process, a code of conduct, discipline process, and continuing education requirements. If members employ BCIN professionals - they should ensure that these employees or consultants are aware of this proposal.
2. OHBA and other organizations including the Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA) have been calling on the Ministry to provide Ontario Building Code interpretations and Ministry Technical Bulletins for many years - the proposal responds to that request.
3. The proposal includes a NEW FEE to be charges to the permit-applicant which the proposal summaries as approximately $80 on a $500,000 building permit. This new fee would be collected by the municipality and remitted to the Authority to provide some of the funding for the new Authority.