Hiring tradespeople in Canada: licences, rights & checks

Hiring contractors in Canada: what's different

Our main hiring guide covers the universal steps. In Canada, trade licensing, workplace insurance and consumer protection are mostly provincial and territorial, so the checks depend on where you live.

Electrical and gas work

Electrical and gas work is regulated in every province. Some examples:

• Ontario: electrical contractors must be licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), which also handles permits and inspections. Gas technicians and fuel work fall under the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
• British Columbia: Technical Safety BC licenses electrical and gas contractors and issues permits.
• Alberta, Quebec and other provinces have their own licensing bodies; search your province's name with "electrical contractor licence".

Ask for the licence number, check it, and confirm that permits will be taken out for the work.

Builders and new homes

In Ontario, builders of new homes must be licensed by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority, and new homes are covered by Tarion's warranty program. Other provinces have their own new-home warranty requirements. For renovations, ask for references and a written contract.

Workplace insurance

Workers' compensation is provincial: WSIB in Ontario, WorkSafeBC in British Columbia, WCB in Alberta and other provinces, and CNESST in Quebec. Ask for a clearance certificate showing the contractor is in good standing. If a contractor's account isn't in good standing, you could be liable for unpaid premiums in some provinces.

Consumer protections

Provinces regulate door-to-door and home improvement contracts. In Ontario, for example, consumers have a 10-day cooling-off period for most contracts signed at home, and door-to-door sales of certain household products such as furnaces and water heaters are banned. Check your provincial consumer protection office for the rules where you live.

Taxes

Quotes should state whether GST, HST or PST applies. Businesses over the small-supplier threshold must register for GST/HST.

Getting help

• Your provincial consumer protection office.
• The licensing authority for the trade.
• Small claims court for modest disputes.
• The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for scams.

Finding local help

Start with Canada services and your city, for example Toronto or Vancouver.