The energy code in your province or territory

The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) is a model code that only comes into force when provinces and territories elect to write, enact and enforce laws and regulations relating to that code.

For the NECB 2020 edition, the code takes a tiered approach to provide provinces and territories with a gradual path to incrementally adopt higher levels of performance. The 2020 edition was an important step toward Canada’s goal of achieving ‘Net Zero Energy Ready (NZER)’ buildings by 2030.

Provinces and territories may choose to adopt the code as is or make minor changes to adapt to regional needs. They may also choose to adopt a stricter energy code to promote greater energy savings.

With the Reconciliation Agreement on Construction Codes, participating provinces and territories agree to identify, reduce, or eliminate existing variations between their construction codes and the model national codes by 2025, and minimize new variations in the future.

If your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) has adopted an energy code or a standard such as the NECB, it will want confirmation that your building design complies prior to issuing a building permit.

• Learn more about code compliance

For more information on model national code adoption across Canada, visit the National Research Council of Canada’s Codes Canada webpage or contact your provincial or territorial government directly.

Alberta

• Alberta building codes and standards, Government of Alberta
• National Building Code – 2019 Alberta Edition, Government of Alberta
• National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2017, Government of Alberta
• Safety Codes Act (December 2017), Government of Alberta

British Columbia

• BC Building Code (2018), Government of British Columbia
• BC Energy Step Code (2017), Government of British Columbia
• Building Act (2015), Government of British Columbia
• Building Act Guide, Government of British Columbia
• City of Vancouver Building By-Law (2019), Government of British Columbia

Incentives

• Commercial New Construction Program, BC Hydro
• Incentive Search Tool, BC Hydro
• New Plant Design, BC Hydro
• Commercial New Construction Performance Program, BC Hydro

Manitoba

• The Buildings and Mobile Homes Act, Government of Manitoba
• Manitoba Building Code, Government of Manitoba
• Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings, Government of Manitoba
• Manitoba Green Building Program, Government of Manitoba

Incentives

• Efficiency Manitoba New Construction Rebates, Efficiency Manitoba

New Brunswick

• Energy Efficiency Building Code Standards, Government of New Brunswick
• New Brunswick Building Code Act (Bill 75), Government of New Brunswick
• New Brunswick Building Code Act (Bill 34), Government of New Brunswick
• An Act to Amend the Building Code Administration Act (Bill 83), Government of New Brunswick
• The New Brunswick Energy Blueprint (2014), New Brunswick Department of Energy

Newfoundland and Labrador

• The Municipalities Act, 1999, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 45/12, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Northwest Territories

• Good Building Practice for Northern Facilities (March 2021 update), Government of the Northwest Territories

Incentives

• Building Improvements, Artic Energy Alliance

Nova Scotia

• Building Code Regulations (2017), Government of Nova Scotia
• Building code and regulatory information, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Respecting the Building Code, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Building Inspection, Eastern District Planning Commission

Incentives

• Small Business Energy Solutions, Efficiency Nova Scotia
• Commercial New Construction Program, Efficiency Nova Scotia

Nunavut

• Consolidation of Building Code Act, Government of Nunavut 
• Good Building Practices Guideline (2005), Government of Nunavut
• IKUMMATIIT: The Government of Nunavut Energy Strategy, Government of Nunavut
• Nunavut Energy Management Program, Government of Nunavut

Ontario

• Ontario's Building Code, Government of Ontario
• Request a digital copy of the 2012 Building Code Compendium, Government of Ontario
• Ontario Regulation 332/12 - Building Code Act, Government of Ontario

Incentives

• Eco-Roof Incentive Program, City of Toronto
• Savings by Design, Enbridge

Prince Edward Island

• Prince Edward Island Energy Strategy: Creating a Sustainable Future for Prince Edward Island, Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island
• Provincial Building Code Act, Government of Prince Edward Island

Quebec

• Quebec Building Act, Government of Quebec
• Quebec Construction Code and Safety Code, Government of Quebec

Incentives

• Efficient Solutions Program, Hydro-Québec
• Hot-water boiler grants, Énergir
• Energy efficiency program - Efficient construction and renovation, Énergir
• Novaclimat Program, Transition énergétique Québec

Saskatchewan

• National Building Code, National Fire Code, National Plumbing Code and National Energy Code for Buildings, Government of Saskatchewan

Incentives

• Power Savings and Programs, SaskPower
• Rebates and Programs, SaskEnergy

Yukon Territories

• Yukon-related updates to the National Building Code, Government of Yukon
• Building and Plumbing Bylaw, City of Whitehorse