Due to COVID-19, many provincial governments are restricting gatherings of individuals which is extended to classroom training. As a result, workplaces may be unable to send employees to complete First Aid training. Below is a summary of the First Aid training extensions or program exceptions for each province/territory. This is a resource only. Please visit your provincial government website for more information.
Province | First Aid Training Extensions/Exceptions
Alberta
Expiration dates for health care providers holding existing advanced, standard or emergency workplace first aid certifications or audiometric technician/pulmonary function technician1 certifications are extended immediately until further notice.
Other first aiders, pulmonary function technicians or audiometric technicians who are unable to recertify their training due to COVID-19 prior to certificate expiry will have their certificate expirations extended to allow them to recertify at a later opportunity.
Certificate holders must keep their workplace first aid, audiometric technician or pulmonary function technician certificate as proof of certification, even if the expiry date has passed (applies to certificates with expiry dates on or after March 17, 2020). OHS officers will have flexibility in accepting expired certificates as proof of current certification.
Please continue to monitor the Alberta.ca website for the latest news and updates. https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/li-covid-19-letter-to-training-agencies.pdf
British Columbia
Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, WorkSafeBC is granting extensions on any occupational first aid, or equivalent certificates, that are due to expire between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
These certificates will now be acceptable in the workplace for 90 days beyond their original expiry date.
Certificates will not be reprinted. First Aid Attendants and employers do not need to take any actions to qualify for the extensions.
Please continue to monitor the WorkSafeBC website for the latest news and updates.
Manitoba
Due to the COVID-19, Workplace Safety and Health is granting extensions on any workplace first aid, or flagperson certificates, that are due to expire between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
These certificates will now be acceptable in the workplace for 90 days beyond their original expiry date.
Please continue to monitor the Government of Manitoba Website for the latest news and updates. https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/training.html
Ontario
To adhere to government guidelines regarding COVID-19, WSIB advises that all First Aid providers are to suspend in-person courses temporarily to ensure we are practicing physical distancing.
All certifications that expire after March 1, 2020 are automatically temporarily extended until September 30, 2020.
Please continue to monitor the WSIB website for all of the latest news and updates. https://www.wsib.ca/en/businesses/health-and-safety/training/first-aid-program
Nova Scotia
No information available at this time.
New Brunswick
As a result of New Brunswick’s Declaration of a State of Emergency and Mandatory Order issued on March 19, 2020, First Aid Training Providers approved by WorkSafeNB cannot provide classroom and practical training nor the in-class portion of blended first aid training.
As long as you and your employer are confident regarding your ability to provide first aid, you can continue to be a designated first aid provider for your workplace.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, WorkSafeNB will not be enforcing first aid training requirements for approximately six months from the onset of the Declaration of a State of Emergency and Mandatory Order.
To refresh your knowledge, you should review your first aid manual, watch first aid videos, take the online portion of a blended course or follow a refresher course through virtual learning. Once the Declaration of a State of Emergency and Mandatory Order is lifted, you can complete your training and re-certify.
Please continue to monitor the WorksafeNB website for all of the latest news and updates. https://www.worksafenb.ca/safety-topics/covid-19/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions/?page=3
Newfoundland and Labrador
First Aid re-certifications can be postponed and will not be considered as non-compliance. Once regular operations resume, re-certifications will be required as soon as possible, and within 3 months.
Please continue to monitor the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador website for all of the latest news and updates.
Prince Edward Island
No information available at this time.
Quebec
The CNESST recognizes that due to the COVID-19 pandemic it will be difficult for employers to register their employees for the courses required to renew their workplace first aid cards in accordance with the First-aid Minimum Standards Regulation, and has addressed this issue by introducing a relief measure. As such, all expiring CNESST workplace first aid cards will be valid for an extra 6 months without the employer or the first-aider having to make a request.
The CNESST reserves the right to revise this directive as the situation develops. Please continue to monitor the CNESST website for all of the latest news and updates. https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/fr/prevention-securite/coronavirus-covid-19/trousse-covid-19-guide-outils
Saskatchewan
No information available at this time.
Yukon
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the Canadian Red Cross has offered a 90-day extension to all participants who are taking a recertification course
Please continue to monitor the Yukon College website for all of the latest news and updates on First Aid Training.
Northwest Territories
No information available at this time.
Nunavut
No information available at this time.
COVID-19 Resource: As of April 24, 2020