On June 20, the Canadian Standards Association, also known as the CSA Group, released a new draft version of CSA standard Z94.4, which was open to public consultation until August 19. It sets to regulate workplace standards around “the selection, use, and care of respirators.” The CSA Group is a non-profit organization which creates non-legally binding but precedent-setting regulations for professional workplace standards. As reported by DoNoHarm BC, the rule changes would see new nationwide respirator requirements that mandate the use of respirators like N95 masks instead of surgical masks by workers, patients, and visitors in healthcare settings.

The CSA Group’s new draft has received praise from healthcare advocates and workers alike. DoNoHarm BC was one of the leading organizations pushing the public to support and contribute to the CSA Group’s consultation process.

The group also pushed back on certain changes in the healthcare sector, such as in March 2025, when the provincial government controversially decided to lift mask restrictions, drawing outrage from healthcare advocates and vulnerable populations.

The World Health Network has also pushed a social media campaign to support the move. In a press release, the organization notes that the new revision “represents a long-overdue shift toward protecting healthcare workers and other professionals from airborne hazards.” In addition to DoNotHarm BC and World Health Network, a coalition of over 1,700 civil servants and concerned citizens has signed a statement supporting the CSA respiratory standard amendments. Spearheaded by the Canadian Aerosol Transmission Coalition, advocates argue that data shows new infections for diseases like COVID-19 have primarily been in healthcare settings.