CNESST vs WSIB: Workplace First Aid Rules in Quebec and Ontario
If your team works in Quebec, CNESST sets the first aid rules. If your team works in Ontario and is covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, WSIB sets the rules. Neither is a training brand. A certificate from one province does not automatically count in the other.
This guide helps employers figure out which program applies and what to do next.
CNESST workplace training · WSIB first aid program
Which program does your workplace follow?
| Question | Quebec: CNESST | Ontario: WSIB |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs the program? | CNESST. Recognized organizations teach the course. | WSIB. Approved providers teach and issue certificates. |
| What training is needed? | Workplace first aider course (16 hours) through a CNESST-recognized organization. | Basic (8 hours) for shifts of five or fewer. Intermediate (16 hours) for six or more. |
| How many first aiders? | General establishments: 1 for up to 50 workers present; 2 for 51–150; then an additional first aider per further group of 100. Construction and forestry differ. | At least one trained person on site. No fixed ratio, but coverage must be prompt. |
| How long does the certificate last? | Three years. You repeat the full course to renew. | Three years. Check WSIB renewal rules for your course level. |
| Who pays? | CNESST subsidizes part of the training. Employer pays the worker's time, travel within 40 km, and costs beyond the subsidy. | Employer pays for training and wages. The WSIB guidance says employers cover training and wages. |
This table is a starting point. Construction sites, forest work, and larger Ontario sites each have extra rules. Always check the official guides:
Who teaches the course and issues the certificate?
In Quebec, the employer registers a designated worker with a CNESST-recognized organization. Only organizations on the CNESST list can issue a valid workplace first aid certificate. The course takes 16 hours and includes a passed assessment. Quebec's regulation (article 2.1) requires training aligned with the CSA Z1210 standard at the intermediate level, with a practical skills demonstration.
The CNESST subsidizes a share of training by sector: 5% of workers for general workplaces, 10% for construction, 20% for mines and forestry. The employer covers the worker's absence, travel within 40 km, and first aid costs beyond the subsidized spots. CNESST subsidy details
In Ontario, the WSIB approved provider list shows who can teach and issue certificates. An approved provider can use affiliates, but the provider issues the certificate. Since June 22, 2026, WSIB calls the levels Basic and Intermediate. Ontario Regulation 1101 still uses the older names — Emergency and Standard. Old certificates stay valid until they expire. The employer pays for training and wages during the course. WSIB program details
Can a certificate cross the provincial border?
WSIB says it accepts current Canadian workplace first aid certificates that meet CSA Z1210:17 or Z1210:24. But you still need to check the actual certificate, course level, and your employer's specific needs.
This does not mean any Quebec CNESST card works for every Ontario job. And it does not prove an Ontario card replaces Quebec's CNESST program.
When in doubt, ask the regulator before buying a course.
WSIB out-of-province guidance · CNESST training route
Common questions
Does CPR alone count for either program? No. A CPR-only class is not the same as workplace first aid. WSIB says CPR alone does not meet its program. WSIB
Do both provinces count workers the same way? No. Quebec uses worksite tables — one first aider for up to 50 workers present and two for 51–150, with different construction and forestry rules. Ontario changes the course level at six people on a shift. Check the rules for your specific site. CNESST · WSIB
What to do next
Start with the province where your workers are located and the certificate your workplace needs.
- Quebec workplace certificate: Go through a CNESST-recognized organization.
- Other first aid training or Ontario group booking: ActionBafoly teaches Red Cross courses. Plan group training. Tell us your employer's exact requirement so we can confirm course fit before you book.
ActionBafoly teaches Canadian Red Cross first aid courses, not the CNESST workplace course. Make sure you know which certificate your workplace requires before enrolling.