The push for 'one unified safety system' gains momentum
The federal government is ramping up efforts to harmonize occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations across Canada, aiming to eliminate the patchwork of rules that complicate labour mobility and workplace safety for businesses and workers operating in multiple provinces.
A spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirms “the Government of Canada has been working closely with provincial and territorial partners to harmonize OHS requirements across Canada, so that workers can benefit from strong safety protections, no matter where they work in the country.”
The harmonization push is being advanced through the Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table (RCT) under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, as well as the National and Pan-Canadian OHS Reconciliation Agreements signed in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
Recent and upcoming initiatives include updated requirements for respiratory protection, new standards for personal protective equipment, sound levels, and first aid kits. Notably, the government says information on harmonized first aid kit standards will be available on Canada.ca in the Fall of 2025. Ongoing discussions are also focused on harmonizing requirements for high-visibility safety apparel and fall protection training.
Looking ahead, the government’s Forward Regulatory Plan for 2024 to 2026 outlines additional regulatory initiatives, with the next edition—covering 2025 to 2027—expected in Fall 2025. This signals further harmonization efforts on the horizon for 2026 and beyond, as federal, provincial, and territorial partners continue to work toward a unified approach to workplace safety and labour mobility.
Ontario’s leadership role
According to a source familiar with the discussions, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Labour Minister David Piccini have been tapped to lead the safety aspect of the harmonization effort. The source says the pair have already reached out to industry organizations such as the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) and the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA), as well as their safety committees, to solicit ideas and priorities for the national plan.
This outreach is said to have been made by email from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), which stated:
“As part of our ongoing work to improve labour mobility and reducing duplication across jurisdictions, we are seeking input on harmonizing health and safety training standards across Canada.
Your voice is critical to ensuring that any recommendations we bring forward are informed, practical, and reflect the realities of the field.”
Kevin Brown’s “Four Killer Contraventions” and advocacy
At the forefront of this industry engagement is Kevin Brown, CEO of Cobalt Safety. In a widely shared LinkedIn post, Brown called for the creation of a National Council for Safety Harmonization—a collaborative forum that would bring together regulators, labour, industry, and technical experts to align provincial safety regulations, starting with what he calls the “Four Killer Contraventions.”
“I don't know if they're officially called that, but it's kind of what we used to call them when I worked in the Ministry of Labor years ago,” explains Brown.
- Falls
- Struck-bys
- Trench collapses
- Electrocutions
“So those are your four main killer contraventions of workers. I mean, there's lots of other things, but those are the four primaries.” Brown believes harmonizing standards for these four hazards is both necessary and achievable.
“A fall is a fall, no matter the province or the workplace,” says Brown, noting there are 14 safety acts across the provinces and territories creating “lots of confusion in the system.”
He insists harmonization must begin with regulatory clarity, not just standardized training. “Training exists to clarify expectations—but if the underlying rules are inconsistent, training only deepens confusion. Regulatory clarity must come first,” says Brown.
Industry reaction: Strong support for change
Brown’s post sparked a wave of support and commentary from safety professionals across Canada. “Having worked in the 5 provinces west of Quebec, I can honestly say this would bring consistency to an inconsistent system,” writes Bruce Whyte, a safety professional. “Workers who travel province to province for work, would benefit enormously from your suggested changes as would companies who work in various provinces as well. Great initiative, consistent requirements make great sense.”
Others echo the need for harmonization, citing real-world confusion caused by varying definitions and requirements. “Consider ‘Confined Space’ as a prime example. With definitions varying by province and again under CLC COHSR. It’s no wonder people are unclear what constitutes a CS when, and where it’s located,” comments Daryl Upton, an OHS advisor.
Brown’s call to action sums up the urgency: “Canada has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize and streamline how we approach workplace safety across jurisdictions. As the saying goes, ‘What got us here, won’t get us there.’ One Canadian workforce—common hazards—requires one unified safety system.”
