May 4, 2020
Ontario to allow select businesses to reopen on Monday

The Ontario government is allowing certain businesses and workplaces to reopen as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. Those permitted to start up include seasonal businesses and some essential construction projects.

By following the proper health and safety guidelines these businesses will be permitted to begin operations on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.:

  • Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only;
  • Lawn care and landscaping;

Additional essential construction projects that include:
  • shipping and logistics;
  • broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure;
  • any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services;
  • municipal projects;
  • colleges and universities;
  • child care centres;
  • schools; and
  • site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development;
  • Automatic and self-serve car washes;
  • Auto dealerships, open by appointment only;
  • Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public; and
  • Marinas may also begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.

Click here to read the News Release

CCA Makes Recommendations to Prime Minister on COVID-19 Recovery Plan

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau detailing our recommendations for COVID-19 recovery plan principles with respect to the construction industry.

CCA is eager to partner with all levels of government in leading the country out of the pandemic-induced recession, but measures need to be taken to ensure the industry is well-positioned to do its part towards economic recovery.

Advocacy with government agencies and departments has led to several announced programs which will provide some help to our members in the near-term, such as the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), as well as the decision to keep some health-compliant federal projects open.

CCA also continues to advocate on behalf of its members for an emergency COVID-19 cost relief fund, with eligible costs to be reimbursed up to 5 per cent of the contract value as a starting point. If you have not done so already, I urge you to send a letter to your MP today by clicking on the link below. Our voice is stronger together.

Looking toward economic recovery, investing in infrastructure is a proven strategy. However, how this construction industry stimulus is rolled out will significantly impact its effectiveness. CCA is therefore recommending that an industry-specific economic stimulus package be provided on the following principles:

  • Coordination: Federal departments need to work together in collaboration with provinces and municipalities to be efficient and eliminate red tape in order to quickly get Canadians back to work and ensure revenue flow for business owners and workers.
  • Balance: The plan needs to be balanced, with projects for all sectors, regions and size of firms. It should also be available over an 18-month period, minimizing a boom and bust cycle.
  • Clarity: The industry needs clear and consistent rules on managing COVID-19 health protocols endorsed by labour, industry and Health Canada.
  • Flexibility: Flexibility is needed in dealing with COVID-19 related project costs and delays. Contractors remain concerned about how existing contracts will address delays, project disruptions, increased costs and payment delays.

If you have any questions or comments about our recommendations, please contact our vice-president of public affairs, Rodrigue Gilbert, at  rgilbert@cca-acc.com  or 613-236-9455, ext. 432.
New Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Standard
In 2019, the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) announced that Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification Part One training would be available to be taken online using eLearning, and changes would be made to help committee members have more time to schedule and complete their training.


The amended standards now:
  • Allow JHSC members to complete Part One training entirely online
  • Extend the timeline for JHSC members who complete Part One training to give them 12 months to complete their Part Two training
  • Remove the need for JHSC members to apply for extensions or complete Refresher after Part One
 
The ministry has also made changes to the  eLearning Instructional Design Guidelines  and the  JHSC provider application guidelines . Providers who want to apply to deliver Part One via eLearning should   fill out the existing application form  and follow the steps in the  application guidelines .
 
These standards replace the existing standards that came into force on March 1, 2016.
 
Providers and programs that are already CPO-approved will remain approved and training completed before May 1, 2020 will remain valid.

Click here  for more details.

Health and Safety Association Guidance Documents for Workplaces During the COVID-19 Outbreak
The Ontario Government announced and released a series of more than 60 technical sector guidance documents to further support employers and employees in remaining safe in the workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Ontario government works closely with four provincial health and safety associations (HSAs) to help set, communicate and enforce the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and four provincial health and safety associations (HSAs) have released a series of more than 60 technical sector guidance documents to further support employers and employees in remaining safe in the workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak.  


Click here  to read the Construction Guidelines.

Read the full News Release here .

TCA Resources on COVID-19

To access TCA dedicated Covid-19 Updates, click here .