Labour and Immigration

Variance Program

Variance Program is a process to request permission in advance to build, install, process, or otherwise act in a manner not consistent with the specific requirement of an applicable code, standard or regulation but which provides, in the opinion of ITS, an equivalent or greater level of safety to persons and property.

Variance Application is not a corrective action for an inspection order of noncompliance. It has to be submitted before any work related to the Variance Application is submitted. Any Variance for a work completed is not accepted.

ITS has the authority to accept Variance application under its Variance Program, review and decide to accept or reject any proposal to address non-compliance to code requirements.

A Variance issued by ITS is specific and sets no precedent.

Variance Application is considered only when absolutely necessary for technical reasons.  A valid technical reason, which can be justified, cannot include factors such as price, delivery, preference, convenience, manufacturer, errors in order or other non-adopted standard.

A specific variance request shall provide the following:

• a description of the project to which the variance will apply;
• identification of the site/location to which the variance will apply;
• explanation of what a variance is;
• clause or section of the code, standard or regulation to which the variance will apply;
• description of the variance being requested;
• reason (s)/rational (s) for the variance;
• the evidence/proof of equal or better safety performance to persons and property

There is no cost associated with Variance Program.

Related Documents available on the Bulletins, Guides & Forms page:

• ITS GO Form 02 - Assurance of Professional Design and Commitment for Inspection
• ITS GO Form 12 - Variance of Gas and Oil Equipment Application
• ITS 21-031 - Variance Approval Program