What Canadian manufacturers should track in early 2026

Updated: December 18, 2025

This quarterly note highlights federal items and provincial developments relevant to Canadian manufacturers (with examples from Ontario and British Columbia). Each item includes an authoritative Canadian source and plain‑language implications for risk, compliance, and insurance planning.

Regulatory and risk developments (Q1/2026)

1) Ontario BPV Certificates of Inspection (COI) fees increase on January 2, 2026

• What changed: The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will raise Boiler & Pressure Vessel COI fees effective January 2, 2026 to bring the BPV program to cost recovery. See fee schedule and rationale from TSSA. TSSA fee adjustment notice and Public consultation details.

• Why it matters: Owners operating pressurized equipment (e.g., boilers, pressure vessels, certain heat exchangers) must maintain current COIs. Budgeting for higher per‑certificate fees and ensuring timely inspections reduces disruption risk.

• Action: Inventory BPV assets by location and renewal date, confirm jurisdictional inspector scheduling, and align budgets to the 2026 fee table. Where applicable, reconcile insurer inspection data with owner records (Ontario’s BPV oversight has emphasized data quality and outcome‑based regulation).

2) Cyber: Internet‑accessible industrial control systems (ICS) abuse by hacktivists

• What changed: The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security issued Alert AL25‑016 (October 29, 2025) citing multiple incidents in Canada where internet‑facing ICS were manipulated, including tampering with process values. Cyber Centre AL25‑016.

• Why it matters: Manufacturing environments with remote HMIs/PLCs, exposed OT gateways, or poorly segmented networks face elevated availability and safety risks, with potential business interruption and liability exposure.

• Action: Remove direct internet exposure for ICS, enforce MFA and least‑privilege on remote access, implement network segmentation between OT/IT, and validate incident response tabletop coverage for OT scenarios. Engage your broker to confirm cyber and business interruption triggers for cyber‑physical incidents.

3) Trade credit and working capital backstopped by EDC’s Trade Impact Program

• What changed: Export Development Canada launched the Trade Impact Program with capacity to facilitate an additional $5B in financing and insurance over two years to support companies facing market uncertainty, including higher demand for accounts receivable (credit) insurance and working capital guarantees. EDC news release. For context on exporter sentiment, see EDC’s mid‑year 2025 Trade Confidence Index results. EDC TCI (Sept. 8, 2025).

• Why it matters: Manufacturers with U.S. concentration or tariff/currency exposure can use EDC facilities and credit insurance to stabilize cash flow, protect receivables, and unlock borrowing base.

• Action: Assess buyer concentration and DSO trends; price test EDC Portfolio Credit Insurance alongside private market quotes; review eligibility for EDC guarantees to increase operating lines before peak order cycles.

4) Ontario WSIB 2026 premium rates (selected manufacturing classes)

• What changed: WSIB announced a lower 2026 average premium rate ($1.23 per $100 insurable payroll). Manufacturing class rates for 2026 are published and in force January 1, 2026. WSIB 2026 premium rates and methodology background. WSIB policy in practice.

• Why it matters: Payroll budgeting and cost‑of‑risk planning for 2026 should reflect class changes; prevention and RTW programs influence future rate movement.

Manufacturing class rates (Ontario WSIB, 2026):

• Action: Validate your 2026 individual statement in WSIB online services, reconcile against projected class movement, and tie safety KPIs (lost‑time frequency, RTW durations) to quarterly management reporting.

5) Ontario 2025–2026 health & safety campaign: material handling inspections through March 31, 2026

• What changed: The Ministry of Labour’s industrial sector campaign targets material handling hazards with compliance assistance and focused inspections running April 1, 2025–March 31, 2026. Ontario MOL campaign details.

• Why it matters: Manufacturers with manual handling, forklifts, racking, or high‑frequency fulfillment tasks face inspection attention and potential orders if gaps are found.

• Action: Conduct pre‑inspection checks on SOPs, training records (lift trucks, ergonomics), racking engineering sign‑off, and incident logs; close corrective actions and document evidence.

How Summit supports manufacturers

• Coverage strategy: We place and tailor coverage for core manufacturing exposures including Commercial General Liability, Commercial Property, Product Liability, Business Interruption, and Cyber.

• Sector expertise: See our Manufacturing insurance page for risk controls tied to machinery breakdown, supply‑chain volatility, and regulatory change.

• Process: As a fully independent Canadian brokerage, we compare carriers for value and curate policies with a dedicated account manager; our claims team advocates end‑to‑end. Learn more about our compensation transparency on How we get paid.

Quick checklist for Q1/2026

• Confirm Ontario BPV COI renewal timing and budget to new TSSA fees; ensure inspection records are current.

• Remove public exposure for OT/ICS assets per Cyber Centre guidance; validate incident response for cyber‑physical events.

• Review EDC options (credit insurance, guarantees) alongside banking covenants and receivables aging.

• Pull 2026 WSIB statements; update standard costs and quote assumptions for labour‑intensive SKUs.

• Close gaps on material handling training, racking inspections, and powered lift truck documentation ahead of inspections.