Board Update
The Co-Chairs of the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) provided two updates update from the last meeting of the CBHCC, which was held in camera.

• The first update referred to minor errors on the lateral load proposed change form (PCF 1475), which were corrected after calculation inaccuracies had been found.  The Board Co-Chairs noted that the final versions of all 2025 changes are published on the Teamwork site.
• The second update referred to the in-camera approval of the operational GHG emission requirements. The Co-Chairs re-emphasized points made in a memo to the Advisory Council (see the agenda document), notably that there are no costs related to this proposal because the first tier of solutions was current code and therefore cost neutral, and that benefits of emission reductions could only be calculated once it was known which level of emissions reductions performance the provinces and territories would adopt.  The co-chairs also clarified that there is no appeal mechanism for Board decisions.

CHBA and other members of the Advisory Council recognized the authority of provinces and territories to set their own emission factors and select an appropriate level, but noted that the Board's comments were setting a new precedent of approving a changes entirely without any benefit despite the Board's own policy direction given to the committees asking for cost and benefits to be included in the proposed changes. (CHBA had also commented early on, in both policy consultations on operational Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, that it was critical that the benefits are stated, i.e. how much the code proposals would reduce emissions.

Alternate Chair Appointment
The chair of the Advisory Council announced that Kevin Ernst was appointed as Alternate Chair of the ACHCC. He represents the Canadian Institute for Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) on the ACHCC. Kevin is the Chief Operating Officer for +osb, Canada’s largest manufacturer and Distributor of Waste & Overflows, Traps, Lavatory Drains, Tubular Brass Fittings and various other Plumbing parts.

Embodied GHG Emissions Consultations
NRC staff informed ACHCC members about the Embodied GHG Emissions Consultation that was currently going on. Discussion among ACHCC members circled around the lack of a cross-sector policy analysis concluding that building regulation was the best way for society as opposed to regulating the supply chain or manufacturers directly. Another discussion referred to the current draft proposal limiting the requirements to the carbon life cycle steps of A1 to A3 (aka as 'cradle to gate' - which are outside the scope of building codes) while A4 and A5 (construction process) are proposed to be excluded - which are actually within the scope of building code. This is significant because the A4/A5 life-cycle steps would be where modular construction could demonstrate emission reduction benefits. CHBA will prepare comments for the consultation ending on July 14th 2025.

CHBA gave a presentation inviting ACHCC members and anyone else interested to participate in a Breakout Group on Affordability in National Codes. This Breakout Group would explore ways to make affordability a consideration in national building codes.

For more information, please contact Frank Lohmann at frank.lohmann@chba.ca

The agenda documents are attached to the agenda outline (double-click on the paper clips)