Canada’s 2025 First Aid Overhaul: What Every Instructor and Employer Needs to Know

Overview of the Changes

In 2025, Canada is rolling out a sweeping update to first aid standards. Many provinces and regulatory bodies are adopting new Canadian Standards Association (CSA) guidelines. Employers and trainers must now shift from rules based on headcount to risk-based assessments of each workplace.

Key regulatory changes already in motion:

• In Prince Edward Island, the OHS Act was changed effective Jan 1, 2025, to require first aid levels based on risk (not number of workers).

• In B.C., as of November 1, 2024, first aid rules were revised: kit contents, certification levels, emergency transport requirements, written assessments, and annual drills.

• Employers must now complete a written first aid assessment taking into account hazards, remoteness, worker count, and ambulance accessibility.

• Certification levels are renamed: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced (replacing Level 1/2/3) to align with CSA standards.

  These reforms aim to create national consistency, higher reliability, and safety in workplaces across sectors.

  Why These Changes Matter (for Trainers & Employers)

  • Better targeting of resources: instead of “one size fits all,” training and kits are matched to actual risks.

  • Greater accountability: written assessments and drill requirements make first aid plans less ad hoc.

  • Updated kits & protocols: new kit contents (PPE, infection control, records) may require retrofitting or replacement.

  • Training burden increases in high-risk settings: remote or “less accessible” sites may require Advanced training, specialized transport plans.

  Call to Action for Employers and Instructors

  • Assess your workplace today. Complete a written first aid risk assessment using CSA templates.

  • Upgrade your kits and protocols. Align all supplies and procedures with 2025 standards.

  • Tailor training. Choose Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced certification based on site risk.

  • Drill regularly. Conduct annual mock emergencies to keep response sharp.

  • Keep records organized. Store assessments, training logs, and incident reports securely.

  • Inform your team. Everyone should know who’s certified, where kits are, and what to do in an emergency.

  • Train across teams. Ensure multiple employees can respond—don’t rely on one person.

  ✅ Next Step: Schedule your workplace’s first aid risk assessment this month and update all training plans to meet the 2025 CSA standards.