This paper begins with a brief introduction to Canadian seismicity and the history of seismic code development in Canada; a summary of major changes planned for the 2005 edition of the National Building Code of Canada follows. Areas of major change include seismic hazard, site effects, irregularities, force reduction factors and methods of analysis (dynamic analysis now being preferred). The implications of the proposed changes are presented in terms of impact on seismic design force for several structural systems located in regions of high, moderate and low seismicity; implications for seismic level of protection and the seismic design process are also discussed. The paper concludes with a discussion of ongoing seismic code development issues.