These are this week’s top stories, regarding the construction industry in Ontario, that you need to know.
CURRENT NEWS
April 17 – April 23, 2020
Ontario names members of Construction Advisory Panel
The committee was initially announced Sept. 26, 2019 and will meet with Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton three times a year, a release said. Congratulations to the members, click here to see the list.
City of Ottawa pauses some construction projects for COVID-19 but continues to accept and process building permit applications
“The City of Ottawa will continue to accept, and process applications related to building permits, development and heritage applications, and right-of-way permits,” Willis wrote. “The timelines associated with these applications and permits go beyond the April 13, 2020, renewal deadline for the Declaration of Emergency and emergency orders. It will be up to the permit holder or applicants to determine if the construction activities fall within the list of essential workplaces with the introduction of Ontario Regulation 119/20: Order under Subsection 7.0.2(4) – Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses.”
Show me the money: Government of Ontario to amend emergency order to allow release of holdbacks
Effective April 16, 2020, all procedural time periods and limitation periods under the Construction Act were restored. This has two major implications for the industry: (i) lien periods are back; and (ii) owners can once again release holdbacks safely.
Hurontario LRT ‘moving forward as planned’ in Brampton and Mississauga during coronavirus pandemic
In the best of times, construction projects can miss deadlines. And in the coronavirus pandemic, when construction sites are obligated to respect social distancing orders, you might imagine that delays are inevitable.
Not so, or at least not yet for Metrolinx’s Hurontario LRT, according to the project’s vice-president, Darshpreet Bhatti.
CCA, NTCCC support federal construction sites staying open
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) supports keeping federal construction sites open involving defence, security, infrastructure and the administration of justice and government as long as the sites are compliant with COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Premier Ford says Ontario preparing for ‘gradual’ economic reopening as modelling shows pandemic peak likely reached
Premier Doug Ford says Ontario is preparing for the “gradual” reopening of the economy as new modelling shows the province has likely reached its peak in the COVID-19 pandemic, even as the situation in long-term care homes continues to worsen.
OGCA seeks provincial clarification about COVID-19 construction work stoppage at school projects
The Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) has asked education minister Stephen Lecce for clarity about school construction during the provincial COVID-19 emergency.
“Ontario’s construction industry will support the continued growth of our education system through this most difficult time. To do so, we need to partner with you to clear a few roadblocks and confirm our dedication to keeping sites safe.”
Social distancing, site sanitation major hurdles during COVID-19 crisis
As many major building sites in Toronto remain open during the era of COVID-19, construction operations have settled into new health and safety regimes to protect workers.
Good News
COVID-19 could leave site safety standard legacy
General contractors operating under strict COVID-19 health and safety standards should consider keeping those measures in place once the outbreak is over, believe one union official.
Hand sanitizer now available
The division of Emterra Group that makes the product is Canadian Liquids Processors. Collectively, they are a group of recycling and waste management companies that provide essential services across Canada
The Emterra Hand Sanitizer contains 80 per cent ethyl alcohol (ethanol) concentration and has Health Canada approval. It is a safe, non-toxic and effective antibacterial skin cleanser to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and bacteria. Proudly made in Hamilton, Ontario, their current production capacity is 20,000 litres a week.
Ottawa seeking ‘shovel-ready’ projects for post-lockdown economic boot
Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna is preparing to hand out billions of dollars in budgeted – but largely unspent – infrastructure funds to stimulate the Canadian economy after current COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
LIUNA solicits McKenna’s support for Hamilton LRT
Top LIUNA executive Joe Mancinelli has told Minister of Infrastructure and communities Catherine McKenna that the federal government should support shovel-ready projects like Hamilton’s proposed LRT build as it prepares planes to kick-start the national economy into a post-COVID-19 recovery.
OGCA and industry partners donate 10,000 masks to frontline healthcare workers
The Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) says it has worked with a group of industry partners to deliver 10,000 surgical masks to Ontario health care workers.
Local 27 brotherhood showcased during member’s time of need
When Dave Pynn, 40-year old member of the Carpenters’ Union Local 27, took a fall on a hunting trip last November, sustaining a paralyzing injury, it might not have occurred to him that members of the union would come to bat for him.
CCAT shifts to online courses amid COVID-19 pandemic
In normal times, one of Canada’s largest carpenter apprenticeship training centres in Vaughan, Ontario sees hundreds of students pass through its doors for classes ranging from carpentry and floor covering installation to scaffolding and framework.
Day of Mourning: April 28
Every worker has the right to return home safe and sound at the end of each workday but sadly, that is not always the case.
April 28 is National Day of Mourning and every year on this day, we honour and remember those who have died, been injured, or suffered illness in the workplace.
Please visit wsibdayofmourning.ca or labour.gov.on.ca for more information on this significant day
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