Please be careful DSTeng;
It is incorrect to say that NBCC 2005 came into force throughout Canada: the NBCC is a model code, and must be adopted by the province in order to become law. The code was approved as a complete MODEL recently. In some provinces, this does effectively mean that it is in force, although it would technicially still require adoption. However, a number of provinces have choosen not to adopt the NBCC, and instead use it in it's truest form (ie: as a model) and create their own building code from this model code.
Ontario and BC come to mind as provinces which publish their own fully re-written code based on NBCC, and Quebec as one which adopts the NBCC with amendments. Other provinces will have their own way of doing things, and as construction is a provincial jurisdiction, following the NBCC in a province which re-works the code is in effect breaking the law. I know Ontario has stated that they would pursue an engineer for negligence if anything were to happen due to following the model code rather than the OBC (Ontario Building Code). The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of Ontario takes this issue very seriously indeed, and even threatened to ignore the NBCC 2005 due to changes which they did not like/agree with. As far as I know the fight was settled without too much fur flying, however it does reinforce who's in charge in the provinces.
I would be very interested to hear any news regarding what did happen in the end between the MAH, the OBC Technical Committee and the NBCC people. Also, if you know how other provinces work the adoption of their Codes, please post the details!
Regards,
YS
B.Eng (Carleton)
Working in New Zealand, thinking of my snow covered home...