Independent review of the Construction Act
Learn about the 2024 independent review on the law that regulates how payments are made in the construction industry.
Overview
In 2024, an independent review of the Construction Act was conducted by Duncan Glaholt, a leading construction lawyer.
The Construction Act regulates how payments are made in the construction industry. It gives reasonable certainty that people who provide services or materials to a construction project will be paid for their work.
Previous amendments
A 2016 independent review recommended a series of amendments to the Act. In 2017, the Act was amended to:
- modernize lien and holdback processes
- introduce rules to ensure prompt payment
- establish a new dispute adjudication process
The 2016 review recommended that another independent review of the Act be conducted several years after the amendments came into force.
Industry consultation and final report
As part of the independent review, Mr. Glaholt conducted an industry consultation in Summer 2024. Glaholt’s final report, which includes his findings and recommendations, can be found on the Ontario Construction Act Review website.
The government has introduced legislative amendments to the Act to implement the final report’s key recommendations, including changes to holdback rules and the adjudication system.