Strengthen safety, drive mobility, and unlock Canada's economic potential says AuditSoft's Ben Snyman
This article was provided by AuditSoft
Fragmented safety rules are holding Canadian businesses back. AuditSoft CEO Ben Snyman makes the case for harmonization as a path to safer workplaces and a more competitive economy.
Q: Why is regulatory harmonization in health and safety an issue worth addressing now?
A: The conversation really took off this year alongside broader discussions about free trade within Canada. Recent legislation, like Ontario’s Bill to Protect Ontario through Free Trade Within Canada Act and the federal Bill C-51 Canadian Economy Act, highlighted how fragmented regulations create artificial barriers.
When provinces set up different rules, it limits free movement of goods, services, and people, even though we’re all Canadian companies. Fragmentation in Canada doesn’t just waste resources — it fuels division. Provinces protecting their “turf” undermines collaboration and slows progress. Harmonization is a nation-building opportunity.
Q: How does this connect to occupational health and safety (OHS)?
A: One of the biggest barriers is the lack of harmonization in safety training and certification. If a worker completes Working at Heights training in Ontario, why should they need to retrain to work in Alberta or Manitoba? It’s duplicative, costly, and unnecessary.
Ontario’s Minister of Labour, David Piccini, has already recognized this and is advocating for standardization. Harmonization means breaking down these barriers so safety credentials are recognized across provinces. This positions safety not only as a regulatory necessity but as an economic tool.
Q: You’ve also raised the issue of contractor prequalification. How does that fit in?
A: Contractor prequalification is one of the biggest sources of duplication. Today, companies often complete nearly identical audits, forms, and platform submissions for every client or province, draining time and resources.
Harmonizing prequalification would mean a single Canada-wide standard, so contractors certify once and have that credential accepted everywhere.
Q: Has harmonization been proven effective in other countries?
A: Yes. The United Kingdom and New Zealand have both shown the benefits of streamlining safety and contractor requirements.
In the UK, the Common Assessment Standard cut billions in duplicated prequalification costs across construction. New Zealand’s TÅtika program replaced a maze of overlapping schemes with one nationally recognized credential.
Both examples prove that harmonization reduces waste, strengthens safety, and boosts competitiveness.
Q: What would be required to make harmonization a reality in Canada?
A: It starts with building a unified framework that provinces and industries trust. That means embedding proven tools like COR® and ISO 45001 into law as equal safety benchmarks — ensuring contractors are recognized nationwide. Ontario has already taken this step, legislating both standards as equivalent.
On the contractor side, Canada could adopt a single prequalification framework, so companies certify once and work anywhere. A centralized verification platform would make this simple and transparent.
Q: What are the legal and economic stakes?
A: The Supreme Court of Canada’s R. v. Greater Sudbury decision underscored that project owners can be held liable for safety failures even when contractors are hired. A harmonized prequalification system provides clear evidence of due diligence, protecting owners and workers alike.
Economically, studies suggest that removing interprovincial trade barriers could lift GDP by up to 4% — roughly $3,000 per person. Harmonization channels those gains by eliminating redundant training, audits, and paperwork while ensuring high safety standards.
Q: Are changes expected soon?
A: Momentum is building. Ontario and Nova Scotia are co-leading a national initiative to mutually recognize core safety training like Working at Heights and Confined Space Entry. As of 2026, Ontario’s new “As of Right” rules will allow certified professionals to work in the province within 10 days, supported by agreements with other provinces.
These shifts show harmonization is no longer theoretical — it’s happening. The opportunity now is to scale it across safety systems and contractor prequalification, unlocking a freer, safer, more competitive Canadian economy.
Ben Snyman has served Canada's OHS industry for 20+ years and is the CEO and Founder of ContractorXchange by AuditSoft — a leading prequalification and contractor management software designed for Canadian industries and compliance.
