All models to be designed with the Canadian design standard must be analyzed using P-Delta. No sidesway criteria is required for the Canadian Design Code, all structures must consider secondary moments as determined using the p-delta analysis. As such the K value is typically set to 1.0, however where the engineer specifies a different effective length the member capacity will be calculated considering this designated effective length factor.

Note that for members only subject to axial load the maximum allowable slenderness ratio (kl/r) will always be checked using a K value of 1.0, irrespective of the value specified by the engineer.