Why Ottawa’s Move Toward Mandatory COR Certification Matters — And How Contractors Can Prepare
As Ottawa continues to grow, the City’s infrastructure needs are increasing—and so is its commitment to safe, efficient, and accountable construction. One significant step in this direction is the City of Ottawa’s intention to make COR certification (Certificate of Recognition)—or an equivalent certified Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OHSMS)—mandatory for contractors bidding on municipal projects.
For many organizations, this shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity. At Monarch Safety Group, we work with construction and industrial firms across the region to build strong, compliant health and safety systems—and this policy change is one of the most important developments contractors should be preparing for right now.
What Is COR, and Why Is Ottawa Prioritizing It?
COR is a nationally recognized health and safety management system standard administered in Ontario by the IHSA (Infrastructure Health and Safety Association). Achieving COR certification demonstrates that a company has a fully implemented, functioning, and audited safety management system that meets rigorous requirements.
For municipalities like Ottawa, COR offers several key advantages:
1. Reduced Risk
COR-certified contractors experience significantly fewer workplace injuries and incidents. This means fewer delays, fewer claims, and more predictable project outcomes.
2. Higher Quality and Accountability
A strong safety culture leads to better planning, improved communication, and more consistent project delivery.
3. Financial Responsibility
Lower incident rates translate to lower WSIB costs, reduced insurance premiums, and stronger financial performance.
Cities across Canada—including Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg—have already adopted COR requirements for major projects. Ottawa is now rolling out its own mandatory timeline.
📅 City of Ottawa — COR/OHSMS Mandatory Implementation Timeline
To improve safety performance and ensure consistent health & safety standards across municipal projects, the City of Ottawa is introducing COR (or equivalent OHSMS certification) in a phased approach based on project value.
According to the City’s published updates, the rollout will occur as follows:
🔹 January 1, 2024
Mandatory COR/OHSMS certification for all construction contracts valued at over $10 million.
🔹 January 1, 2026
Requirement expands to all construction contracts valued at over $1 million.
🔹 January 1, 2027
Certification required for contracts and subcontracts valued at $100,000 or more.
The City has also confirmed that COR (not specifically COR 2020) is recognized as an accepted certification standard, along with other accredited systems such as ISO 45001 or CSA Z45001.
Why the Timeline Matters
This phased rollout gives contractors a clear—but limited—window to achieve compliance.
Because COR implementation often takes 12–24 months, companies that wait until 2026 or 2027 may find themselves ineligible to bid on significant municipal work.
Why Making COR Mandatory Is a Game Changer for Ottawa Contractors
The introduction of COR as a bidding requirement will reshape the local construction market in several ways:
1. Only Certified Contractors Can Bid
Firms without COR—or without a recognized equivalent—will be excluded from bidding once their project value threshold comes into effect.
2. Early Adopters Gain an Advantage
Companies that pursue COR now will face less competition and gain eligibility for high-value municipal work earlier.
3. Stronger Internal Systems Mean Better Performance
COR requires structured documentation, training, inspections, incident management, and leadership involvement—elements that improve risk management and operational performance across the board.
How Long Does COR Take?
Although some companies hope to achieve COR quickly, the reality is:
- Building a COR-compliant system: 4–12 months
- Implementing documentation & training: 6–12 months
- Completing the internal audit and external audit: 2–6 months
For many organizations, the entire process takes 12–24 months depending on size and complexity.
This is why the City’s timeline should be seen as urgent—not distant.
How Monarch Safety Group Helps Ottawa Companies Get COR-Ready
As a local Ottawa-based health & safety consulting firm, Monarch Safety Group supports organizations at every stage of the COR journey.
✔ COR-Compliant Program Development
We build or upgrade your safety program to meet IHSA COR standards.
✔ Gap Assessments & Roadmaps
We evaluate your current system and outline exactly what needs improvement.
✔ Implementation Support
We help with procedures, hazard assessments, inspections, training, and documentation.
✔ Internal Audit Preparation
We guide your team through the audit process and help you get ready for the external audit.
✔ Annual Maintenance
Once certified, we help ensure your system remains compliant and audit-ready year after year.
Our mission is to make the COR process clear, achievable, and manageable, no matter your company’s size.
What Ottawa Contractors Should Do Now
To stay competitive as COR becomes mandatory, contractors should act now.
1. Conduct a COR Gap Analysis
Identify where you stand today and what is needed to reach certification.
2. Build and Implement Documentation Early
Auditors require several months of records before certification is granted.
3. Prioritize Training for Supervisors and Workers
COR requires evidence of competency—not just written policies.
4. Engage Senior Leadership
Top-down commitment is a major audit requirement.
5. Start the Process Early
With phased deadlines approaching—especially 2026 and 2027—now is the time to begin.
Final Thoughts
The City of Ottawa’s move toward mandatory COR is a major shift in the construction landscape. Although it may feel like a challenge, it’s also a significant opportunity for contractors to strengthen their safety culture, meet higher industry standards, and gain a competitive advantage in securing municipal work.
Monarch Safety Group is here to support Ottawa companies through each step of this transition—from initial planning to full certification and beyond.
If your organization wants to begin the COR process or understand what these new requirements mean for your business, we’re here to help.