Registration of Constructors and Employers Engaged in Construction

Registration of Constructors and Employers Engaged in Construction

Fast-Fact Summary

• Governing Agency: Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
• Form, Bylaw, or Regulation: Form 1000, under Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), O. Reg. 213/91, s. 5
• Effective/Current Anchor: 2026 Operational Standard
• Direct Portal or Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/file-work-notice

Mandatory Scope

This registration requirement applies to all constructors and employers engaged in construction projects within the province of Ontario. Under O. Reg. 213/91, section 5, any employer or constructor must complete this registration before beginning work at a construction project. The scope encompasses all construction trades, regardless of worker counts, project values, or specific licensing categories.

Deadlines & Administrative Windows

• Filing Timeline: Must be completed before beginning work at a construction project.
• Submission Requirement: The form is not submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Instead, it must be kept at the project site while the employer is actively working there.
• 7-Day Invoicing Rule: Invoices are legally deemed proper unless the owner gives a formal written notice of deficiency within 7 days after receiving the invoice. Missing this window forfeits the right to dispute invoice layout or structure and triggers the 28-day prompt-payment timeline.
• Mandatory Annual Holdback: For contracts extending beyond one year, owners must publish a Notice of Annual Release of Holdback (Form 6) on an electronic construction trade news website within 14 days after each contract anniversary. Payment of the accrued basic holdback must occur between day 60 and day 74 after publication, provided no liens are preserved.
• Repeal of Section 27.1: Payers can no longer publish a notice of non-payment to refuse holdback distribution for deficient or incomplete work. Holdback usage is strictly limited to formal contract abandonment or termination scenarios and preserved lien risk.
• Adjudication Extension: Parties have a strict 90-day window after contract completion, abandonment, or termination to initiate interim binding adjudication through ODACC or a qualified private adjudicator.

Financial & Legal Liability

• Non-Compliance Penalty: Failure to complete or keep the required registration form (Form 1000) at the project site can lead to Ministry orders and OHSA prosecution exposure. The verified dollar amount of the penalty is not specified in the source registry data.
• Average WSIB Premium Rate: $1.23 per $100 of insurable payroll, down from $1.25 per $100 of insurable payroll.
• G6 Non-Residential Construction Rate: $1.61 per $100 of insurable payroll.
• 2026 Maximum Insurable Earnings Ceiling: $121,700.

Step-by-Step Filing Instructions

• Step 1: Download the Form: Access the official Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services repository to download the PDF version of Form 1000 (Registration of Constructors and Employers Engaged in Construction).
• Step 2: Complete Employer Information: Fill out the constructor or employer details, including legal business name, trade category, WSIB account number, and emergency contact information.
• Step 3: Print or Store Digitally: Keep a completed copy of Form 1000 at the active construction project site.
• Step 4: Produce on Demand: Ensure the form is immediately accessible for inspection by any Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development inspector visiting the site.

2026 Inspection Notes

For 2026 construction compliance context, pay close attention to working-at-heights training records, trenching and excavation controls, and training/competency documentation. Do not call this a named official blitz unless the supplied record or source says so.

Official Sources

• https://www.ontario.ca/page/file-work-notice
• https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/910213