Physical Restraint Laws in Canadian Care Facilities

Canada has no single restraint rule for every care setting. A lawful response depends on the province or territory, the facility’s licence and service type, the person’s capacity and consent framework, and whether staff face an immediate risk of serious harm. Operators should build policy from the exact law and standards governing each site—not from a generic “Canadian” rule. Long-term care homes, hospitals, supportive-living sites, group homes and community programs can be governed by different statutes, regulations, standards and contractual requirements. A rule written for one setting may not apply to another, even in the same province. The distinction matters because terms such as “restraint,” “secure unit” and “assistance with personal care” are defined differently across regimes.