If you are planning to take a Canadian Red Cross First Aid course in Ontario, you may soon notice some new course names appearing on training provider websites, certificates, and registration pages.
Beginning June 22, 2026, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will launch its updated First Aid Program. As part of these changes, Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid and Emergency First Aid certifications will receive new names.
The good news? While some names are changing, your certification remains recognized, valid, and widely accepted by employers, schools, and organizations.
Why Are the Course Names Changing?
The changes are being made to align Ontario’s workplace first aid program with the new national standard:
CSA Z1210:24 – First Aid Training for the Workplace: Curriculum and Quality Management for Training Agencies
The goal is to improve consistency and quality across workplace first aid training programs while making certification levels easier to understand.
What Are the New Course Names?
Beginning June 22, 2026:
- Emergency First Aid will become Basic First Aid
- Standard First Aid will become Intermediate First Aid
While the names are changing, the certifications themselves are not being discontinued.
Will My Current Canadian Red Cross Certificate Still Be Valid?
Yes.
All Canadian Red Cross First Aid certificates issued before June 22, 2026, will remain valid until their expiry date.
If you currently hold a valid Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certificate, you do not need to retake your course because of the name change.
Will Employers Still Recognize My Certificate?
Absolutely.
Employers, educational institutions, regulatory bodies, and organizations will continue to recognize valid Canadian Red Cross certifications.
The name change does not affect the recognition or validity of your certification.
What If I Take My Course After June 22, 2026?
You will receive a certificate with the updated course name.
For example:
- Students taking Emergency First Aid will receive a Basic First Aid certificate.
- Students taking Standard First Aid will receive an Intermediate First Aid certificate.
The course content remains largely the same and continues to meet workplace requirements.
What About Recertification?
The Canadian Red Cross has confirmed that learners can continue to alternate between a full Standard First Aid course and a recertification course, consistent with current practice.
Learners completing either a full course or a recertification course will receive training that reflects the updated WSIB requirements and CSA Z1210:24 standards.
Has the Course Content Changed?
Most of the required updates were incorporated into the Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR Program in 2025.
To support Ontario workplace requirements, additional Ontario-specific content will be included in courses delivered after June 22, 2026.
These updates help ensure compliance with the new WSIB First Aid Program while maintaining the high-quality training expected from the Canadian Red Cross.
How Can I Verify That a Training Provider Is Approved?
WSIB requires workplace first aid training providers in Ontario to be approved.
The Canadian Red Cross will maintain a public list of approved Ontario Training Partners to help learners verify that they are registering with an authorized provider.
Before registering, students should always ensure that the training provider they choose is authorized to deliver workplace first aid certification in Ontario.
What Does This Mean for Heart2Heart Students?
As a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner, Heart2Heart has already implemented the curriculum updates required under the new CSA Z1210:24 standard.
Beginning June 22, 2026, students will begin seeing the new course names:
While the names are changing, students can continue to expect the same hands-on, learner-focused Canadian Red Cross training that Heart2Heart has provided for more than 25 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Standard First Aid being discontinued?
No. Standard First Aid is simply being renamed Intermediate First Aid.
Is Emergency First Aid being discontinued?
No. Emergency First Aid is simply being renamed Basic First Aid.
Do I need to replace my current certificate?
No. Existing certificates remain valid until their expiry date.
Will employers still recognize my certificate?
Yes. Valid Canadian Red Cross certifications will continue to be recognized by employers, schools, and organizations.
When do the changes take effect?
The updated WSIB First Aid Program and new course names take effect on June 22, 2026.
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