GNWT releases What We Heard Report on proposed changes to Regulations under the Fire Prevention Act

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released a What We Heard Report that summarizes feedback on proposed Plan Review Appeals Board Regulations. These regulations were created to finalize the legislative amendments to the Fire Prevention Act, which were approved in the 19th Assembly, as well as updates to the Fire Prevention Regulations. The report details public and stakeholder responses to engagement efforts to improve fire safety standards across the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The report outlines updates made to the Fire Prevention Regulations to adopt the 2020 National Building Code of Canada and the 2020 National Fire Code of Canada. These changes align the NWT's standards with the latest national fire safety codes, which are already in force, enhancing safety and regulatory consistency.

The report also details feedback the GNWT received on the establishment of a Plan Review Appeals Board. This board will enable an appeals process for plan reviews conducted by the Office of the Fire Marshal under the Fire Prevention Act, providing a new avenue for appeals for plan review orders.

The What We Heard Report highlights feedback from industry professionals, including architects, engineers, construction associations, and residents, who contributed insights on critical topics like board eligibility criteria, animal safety in fire emergencies, and code alignment with community needs. The GNWT extends its gratitude to all who participated, as their input has been instrumental in shaping these proposed changes.

Moving forward, the GNWT will proceed with finalizing these regulations and establishing the Plan Review Appeals Board.

For media requests, please contact:
Peter Tah
Senior Communications and Planning Advisor
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
[email protected]
867-767-9162 ext. 21012