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Harmonization of safety standards is a priority this year

By Andrew Pariser

By Andrew Pariser

Aug. 11, 2026

 

Associations, MLITSD, and other safety groups are continuing to work on safety plans related to the announced harmonization of safety standards across Canada.


The announcements stem from the Trump tariff threats and release of the Team Canada Strong Plan which has spurred continued co-ordination and co-operation between provincial ministers of labour.


The ministers and their respective civil servants have continued to hold meetings across Canada with the goal of harmonizing standards related to both safety and training.


As a quick recap, the One Canada Strategy calls for harmonization of:


  • working at heights standards by Jan 1, 2027;

  • Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP) by Jan 1, 2027;

  • consultations on hoisting and rigging by Jan 1, 2027;

  • consultations on trenching and shoring standards by Jan 1, 2027;

  • focus on entry level construction worker and construction supervisor training by May 2027.


With respect to labour mobility, harmonizing safety standards will remove the requirement for duplicate training and improve safety outcomes by harmonizing to the highest standard. For example, the parties have agreed that Ontario’s Working at Heights is the most rigorous and will be looking at leaders in both Ontario and British Columbia for rigging and hoisting. Removing just the duplication of working at heights could save (on a large project - 1,000 workers - up to 8,000 hours and anywhere between $1,000 to $1,500 per worker). Compounded across multiple standards and the entire construction industry, the savings and improved safety become incredibly meaningful.

 

Implementation

 

As always, the devil is in the details and consultations have already begun on how we adjust to harmonization and ensure the industry is given the time it needs to adopt and ensure workers have the qualifications needed.


At recent meetings, discussions have included the lessons learned during the Working at Heights rollout as well as an appreciation for how large the Ontario construction sector is (over 500,000 and growing).


As we move into the fall and details become firm, RESCON will continue to provide webinars and updates to ensure builders and our trades know exactly what is expected and how to comply.

 

Labour Supply

 

Over the last month, BuildForce released its latest 10-year forecast and Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the Team Canada Strong initiative. The BuildForce report broadly calls for infrastructure, power generation and ICI construction to stay busy with an eventual recovery in the residential construction sector.


The Team Canada Strong plan is a major, $6-billion, cross-Canada initiative with the stated goal of training and recruiting up to 100,000 Red Seal skilled trades workers. The initiative will support major infrastructure announcements, ensuring Canada has the skilled trades needed to build ports, pipelines, mines, data centres and homes Canadians need.


Highlights:


  • $331 million to modernize red seal apprenticeship training;

  • $2 billion to support job placements for young Canadians;

  • $3.4 billion to address completion challenges and improve certification timelines;

  • $5,000 apprenticeship completion bonus.


These initiatives will have a major impact for all construction businesses in the years to come and RESCON will continue to ensure all members are kept up to date as those developments roll out.

Stay safe.

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