The Ontario government is improving elevator safety and availability to help ensure that elevators are well-maintained and meet safety requirements.
Regulatory changes under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 will come into force on July 1, 2022, to enable the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) to better enforce Ontario’s elevator laws. The changes will allow the TSSA to impose administrative penalties for non-compliance with specific legal requirements and will help ensure that elevators are well-maintained and meet safety requirements. Owners of elevators in residential buildings will also be required to report elevator outage data to TSSA, who will publish the data online.
“Addressing elevator safety and availability issues in residential buildings is part of our government’s plan to strengthen protection and promote trust and confidence,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. “That is why we are moving forward with regulatory changes that will enhance elevator safety and availability in Ontario. These changes will also provide the best service for condominium residents and make information about elevator outages accessible for people, so they are better informed when making decisions on renting or buying a home.”
These regulatory changes are intended to help improve compliance with elevator laws and help improve elevator performance by incentivizing better maintenance. The proposed changes address the Auditor General of Ontario’s recommendations on improving elevator safety and some of former Justice Douglas Cunningham’s recommendations in his 2018 report on elevator availability.
Ontarians will also be able to find information about elevator outages online via TSSA’s website to help them make more informed choices. The information will also help the government and TSSA consider whether further changes related to elevator safety and availability will be needed in the future.