A Canadian Cleaning Service Contract is a service agreement between a cleaning service provider and a client for the delivery of residential, commercial, or industrial cleaning services. The contract establishes the legal relationship between the parties — critically, whether the cleaner operates as an independent contractor or an employee, a distinction determined by the Supreme Court of Canada's test in 671122 Ontario Ltd. v. Sagaz Industries Canada Inc., 2001 SCC 59, which examines who controls how the work is done, who provides equipment, the degree of financial risk, and the opportunity for profit.

Cleaning service providers who use chemical cleaning products must comply with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015), Canada's national hazard communication standard aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Under federal and provincial WHMIS legislation, hazardous cleaning chemicals must be properly labelled and accompanied by Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and workers handling these products must receive WHMIS training. The contract should specify whether the service provider or the client supplies cleaning products and who is responsible for WHMIS compliance.

Privacy obligations under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA, S.C. 2000, c. 5) apply to cleaning service providers who receive client personal information — home addresses, alarm codes, key access, entry instructions, and schedules indicating when the premises are vacant. The service provider must safeguard this information and may not disclose it without the client's consent.

A Canadian Cleaning Service Contract is needed whenever a homeowner, property manager, business owner, or institution engages a cleaning provider for ongoing or one-time cleaning services. Residential clients hiring a house cleaner for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly service need a contract that specifies exactly which rooms and surfaces will be cleaned, what products will be used, and how access to the home will be managed.

Commercial cleaning contracts are essential for office buildings, retail stores, medical clinics, dental offices, restaurants, and industrial facilities. Commercial clients often require proof of insurance (general liability and workers' compensation), WHMIS 2015 compliance documentation, and clearance certificates from the provincial workers' compensation board — WSIB in Ontario, WorkSafeBC in British Columbia, or WCB in Alberta.

Property management companies engaging cleaning services for common areas of condominium buildings, apartment complexes, or townhouse communities need contracts that address scheduling around tenant access, key management, elevator booking for equipment, and waste disposal procedures. Real estate agents hiring move-in/move-out cleaning services need contracts with rapid turnaround commitments and quality guarantees.

The contract is particularly important for establishing the independent contractor relationship. If the CRA reclassifies a cleaning worker as an employee, the hiring party becomes liable for unremitted CPP contributions, EI premiums, and income tax withholdings — potentially years of back payments plus penalties and interest.

A comprehensive Canadian Cleaning Service Contract must identify both parties with legal names, addresses, and contact information. If the service provider is a business, include the business registration number and GST/HST registration number (required if annual revenue exceeds CAD $30,000). The contract should clearly state that the relationship is an independent contractor arrangement, referencing the control, tools, financial risk, and integration factors from the Sagaz test.

The scope of services must be detailed — specify the rooms or areas to be cleaned, the frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or one-time), the specific tasks included (vacuuming, mopping, dusting, bathroom sanitizing, kitchen cleaning, window washing, laundry), and any tasks explicitly excluded. Include the estimated duration of each cleaning session and the scheduled day and time.

Pricing must be stated in Canadian dollars — per-visit rate, hourly rate, or monthly flat fee — along with the GST/HST amount, payment method (Interac e-Transfer, cheque, cash, or pre-authorized debit), and payment schedule. Late payment terms should specify the grace period and any interest or fees.

Insurance and liability provisions are critical. The service provider should carry general liability insurance (typically $2 million minimum) and should warrant WHMIS 2015 compliance for any hazardous cleaning products used. A key management and security clause should address how keys, alarm codes, and access cards are handled, stored, and returned upon contract termination. Include a PIPEDA privacy clause covering the service provider's obligations to protect client personal information. Termination provisions should specify the notice period (typically 14-30 days), and both parties must sign with a governing law clause referencing the applicable Canadian province.