Insulation Requirements

Current code: BC has adopted the 2024 editions of the British Columbia Building Code, including Book II Plumbing Systems, and Fire Code (BC Codes 2024) which came into effect March 8, 2024. As of May 1, 2023 the prescriptive values for EE in the BCBC increased, targeting an improvement of 20%.

This information is from Appendix C: Table C-2 Design Data for Selected Locations in Canada and from BetterHomesBC.ca. 

Current code: Effective January 1, 2024, Manitoba adopted and enforced the 2020 editions of the National Model Building, Plumbing, Energy, and Fire codes with some Manitobaspecific amendments.
Current Tier: Tier 1 for building and energy codes for residential and commercial

Current code: New Brunswick enforces the 2015 National Building Code. The current energy code in force is Section 9.36 of the NBC and the non-housing code for energy efficiency is the 2011 NECB. Some renovations (i.e. updating windows or kitchen cupboards) will require the insulation in that section to be upgraded to Code. This is up to the discretion of the jurisdiction’s building official.

Current code: Newfoundland and Labrador formerly allowed each municipality to govern building construction on their own, but they adopted the 2015 NBC (including Section 9.36 Energy Efficiency) on January 18, 2019 and enforcement began Feb 28, 2019. It’s noted that Section 9.36 of the 2015 NBC is for new construction of single-family homes & those with subsidiary apartments. There is no current energy code for MURBs. There are currently no non-housing codes for energy efficiency. 

Current code: The Northwest Territories have adopted the NBC 2015. On May 30th, 2022 the City of Yellowknife adopted the 2020 model codes (NBC and NECB) via by-law, which includes section 9.36 concerning energy efficiency in houses and small buildings. NWT have not adopted NECB or implemented criteria for energy efficiency in large buildings.

Current code: Nova Scotia is preparing to adopt the 2020 National Building Codes starting April 1, 2025. These codes include the 2020 NBC and the 2020 NECB.

Current code: Nunavut adopted the 2015 NBC through regulation R-009-2018 made under the Building Code Act. The code was adopted on March 29, 2018 and in force Sept 1, 2018. This includes section 9.36 related to energy efficiency in homes and small buildings.

Current code: The 2024 Ontario Building Code comes into effect on January 1, 2025, with a 3 month transition period that extends until March 31, 2025. Ontario has adopted and amended the National Building Code of Canada 2020. Supplementary Standards SB-10 and SB-12 currently remain in place.

Current code: PEI has adopted the 2020 national model codes (NBC and NECB) which took effect on March 31, 2024.
Current Tier: Tier 1

Current code: The new version Québec Construction Code, Building chapter (NBC 2015 amended Québec) of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, went into effect Jan 8, 2022, consists of the NBC of Canada 2015, with amendments for Québec. Chapter I.1 – Energy efficiency of buildings of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec has been in force since June 27, 2020. Chapter I.1 – Energy efficiency of buildings went in force June 27, 2020. Consisting of the NECB and amended for Québec, this chapter regulates the energy efficiency of large residential buildings, institutional, commercial and industrial buildings.

Current code: Saskatchewan has adopted the 2020 editions of the NBC, the NECB, and the National Plumbing Code, which came into force on January 1, 2024.
Current Tier: Tier 1 targeting larger buildings and Tier 2 for smaller ones, including residential houses.

Current code: The Yukon is enforcing the 2020 NBCC as of April 1st, 2023, as well as 2020 NBCC for both residential/housing and for non-housing buildings.