A code is a standard that has been enacted into law by local, regional, or national authorities having jurisdiction so that people like engineers or building contractors are legally compelled to comply with a code. The code may be an industry or government based standard. An example of a code in Ontario is the Ontario Building Code.
There are codes and national model codes in Canada. The intent of a model code is to have an industry-wide standard that can be adopted and customized by local jurisdictions.The National Model Construction Codes are now collectively called Codes Canada. Under Canada's constitution, provinces and territories regulate the design and construction of new houses and buildings, and the maintenance and operation of fire safety systems in buildings. While the national model codes (Building, Fire, Plumbing, Energy Codes) are prepared centrally under the direction of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, adoption and enforcement of the Codes are the responsibility of the provinces and territories who have jurisdiction.
Consulting - Specifying Engineer. (2019). Code or standard? Retrieved from https://www.csemag.com/articles/code-or-standard/
National Research Council Canada. (2019). Model code adoption across canada, Retrieved from https://www.nrccnrc.gc.ca/eng/solutions/advisory/codes_centre/code_adoption.html