Member Knowledge Centre
member Knowledge centre
The Knowledge Centre provides CHBA members with access to information and resources. It is a growing resource that is currently focused on updating members about national building code information. Please note that this information is a benefit of your membership, and should not be shared beyond your company/organization.
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This information is provided by CHBA for informational purposes only and cannot be used as an official or authoritative document.
Task Group on Secondary Suites Variations
Task Group on Secondary Suites Variations
March 12, 2026
The Task Group confirmed that its mandate is to review all PT variations related to secondary suites, not solely those associated with floor area limits, although floor area limits remain the primary driver. According to Codes Canada staff, coordination of requirements for existing buildings will be carried out by a different Task Group and this one will focus on requirements for new construction. Codes Canada staff have begun assembling background and historical rationales related to secondary suite provisions in the National Building Code (NBC) but noted it's a time-consuming task and this will take a while.
The Ontario group led by Leonard Uku presented Ontario's approach to removing floor area limits while offsetting impacts through enhanced fire and life safety measures, including improved fire separations and consideration of existing buildings under Parts 10 and 11 of the Ontario Building Code. Andy Chase with the BC government provided historical and policy context for its long-standing secondary suite framework, emphasizing equivalent life safety outcomes, treatment of suites as full dwelling units, and the use of alternative compliance approaches. The Alberta group did not present the report prepared by one of the members found in the agenda package. Concerns were raised by CHBA regarding the lack of Alberta provincial government participation on the Task Group, which was being followed up on immediately after the meeting with the chair of the NMCC on Harmonization. CHBA also made it clear that it would help review information for the Alberta summary once it was confirmed to be accurate by the provincial government.
Next steps include continued refinement of jurisdictional information, restructuring of the variations spreadsheet, further development of NBC background material, and follow-up on Alberta representation. No meeting will be held prior to the NMCC on Harmonization meeting on April 18; the next task group meeting is anticipated for mid-to-late June 2026.
For any questions, please contact Jack.Mantyla@chba.ca