A COVID-19 UPDATE TO MEMBERSHIP - Monday, May 4, 2020
New Joint Health and Safety Committee Amended Certification Standards
From Ron Kelusky, Chief Prevention Officer | Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development:

Effective May 1, 2020, the Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Program Standard , and the Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Provider Standard , have been amended to allow for online training, and replace the existing standards that came into force on March 1, 2016.
 
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 .
 
Providers and programs that are already CPO-approved will remain approved and training completed before May 1, 2020 will remain valid.
On tario  releases more than 60 additional technical sector guidance documents to further support employers and employees during the COVID-19 outbreak
In partnership with the IHSA, PSHSA, WSN and WSPS the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has 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  for the full April 30th media release and details.
On April 30th the Ontario Government released additional safety guidelines to provide direction to those working in manufacturing, food manufacturing and processing, restaurant and food service, and the agricultural sector. These measures build on more than 60 guidelines developed by Ontario's health and safety associations in response to COVID-19 for various sectors such as retail, health care, construction, transportation, police services, firefighters, and transit employees. 

Additionally, 58 new inspectors will join the hundreds of existing provincial labour inspectors on the ground. The inspectors, which include workers from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), will be tasked with communicating COVID-19 safety guidelines to essential workplaces or enforcing emergency measures, including physical distancing and the closure of non-essential businesses.

Click  HERE  for the full media release.

The Province's "Construction site health and safety during COVID-19" can be viewed  HERE .
Recap: "Essential Workplaces" update as per May 1st announcement
Following advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, as of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2020, certain businesses and workplaces may reopen as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Businesses that are not identified on this list must keep their physical place of business closed.

Click HERE for Province of Ontario list of essential workplaces.
CCA Makes Recommendations to Prime Minister on Recovery Plan
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau detailing their 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 thus far has led to several announced programs which will provide some help 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.
Dealing with delays: a CCDC primer
How does the standard CCDC contract form address delay?

In CCDC 2, the primary clauses relating to delay can be found in GC 6.5. These provisions describe the circumstances in which the contract time may be extended, and where the contract price may be adjusted, as the result of delays.
The contractor is entitled to contract time extension and reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred as the result of a delay that is caused by:

For full article click HERE .
Free COVID-19 Webinars for Construction Sector

Navigating COVID-19: Financing programs and financial recovery cash flow considerations for construction

Thursday, May 7, 2020, 2PM EDT

Covering: Government loans and subsidies, Government payroll and wage subsidies, Tax filling and payment extensions, Financial recovery cash flow considerations, Employment Insurance and Canada Emergency Response Benefit overview.

Click HERE to register and for more details .
COVID-19 Government Financial Support
Programs for Business
Presented by COCA, LDCA, MNP and BDC
May 8 - 8:30AM - 10:00AM

COVID-19 is having a very negative impact on health, social and business environments in Canada, with limited to no visibility of when life will return to normal. This webinar will cover:
  • types of government financial supports available for businesses including, a) how to access these supports and b) reporting and other government requirements
  • Common Scenarios (do these program fit my company and need?)
  • Q&A with participants and presenters

For full details click HERE . To register, via ZOOM click HERE. ( Meeting ID: 841 7663 9385)
Or dial in by phone:
       +1 438 809 7799 Canada
       +1 587 328 1099 Canada
       +1 647 374 4685 Canada
       +1 647 558 0588 Canada
       +1 778 907 2071 Canada
COVID-19 Litigation Webinars & Briefs

Presenters Kennaley Construction Law and Sherrard Kuzz LLP have provided many free webinars on navigating COVID19 litigation as it applies to the construction sector. Webinars take place every Tuesday at 9AM.

Tomorrow's webinar will focus on (among other topics including updates to COVID-19, employment and labour issues):
  • the new health and safety guidance documents and procedures applicable for the construction sector
  • the “re-opening” of Ontario’s economy and, more particularly, the additional construction activities and projects allowed to continue as at May 4, 2020 
  • so now what? - bidding and tendering during, and after, the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
  • participant's questions during our Q&A portion.

To register click HERE.
For past webinars/briefs click HERE .
COVID-19 Links & Resources from CCA
For a list of construction-specific, up-to-date information covering latest news & announcements, guidance & best practice documents, and financial/government subsidies/support, click HERE.







Send This 30-second Auto Message to Your MP Regarding Construction Cost Reimbursement
The CCA has made this a 30-second exercise for its members. Request the federal government to alleviate some of the financial pressure the industry is experiencing by creating an Emergency COVID-19 Construction Cost Reimbursement Program . MP's need to hear from construction companies on this. Click HERE to view the CCA email , then c lick on the blue button which will link you to an auto-template; just fill in your details and your MP's information will automatically be added.
COVID-19 Links & Resources from COCA
For a list of construction-specific, up-to-date information covering latest news & announcements, guidance & best practice documents, and financial/government subsidies/support, click HERE.
Send This 30-second Auto Message to Your MPP to Achieve Relief from Delay Claims
The Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) is your voice at Queen’s Park.

COCA is seeking relief for contractors like you from delay claims that have been caused by the COVID19 pandemic. Because their usual methods of lobbying have been curtailed as a result of the pandemic, COCA has turned to a digital advocacy tool. If you have not already done so,   please click here   and enter your home address and your email address and send a message supporting COCA to your MPP. It is simple and takes about 30 seconds of your time. We encourage you in the strongest way possible to participate. And after you do, forward this message to your work colleagues, your workers and everyone you know in the industry. Please help out.
The more people from our industry that participate, the much greater is the chance of securing the relief our industry needs. Many thanks for your help.
COVID-19 Links, Previous Webinars, Briefs & Resource from OGCA

Niagara Area Building Inspections, Permits, Planning Offices - Update by Municipality
The NCA has compiled updates from Niagara's municipal building and planning departments, including building inspections, building permits, planners' availability, and more. Click HERE .
REPORT YOUR STATUS - COVID-19 Niagara Construction Job-Site/
Office Closures/Restrictions/Business Notices

To assist our members in sharing the status of their companies/projects at this time, we are posting your  job-sites and/or office closures, business notices and/or restrictions  here  .

Please complete form  here   for us to post the information on our website  or tag us with your changes on Facebook and/or Twitter. Or, just  email  and let us know your updated information.
NCA COVID-19 RESOURCES
The Niagara Construction Association (NCA) is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and will do what we can to ensure members have up-to-date information by communicating through e-blast, social media posts, and  COVID-19 RESOURCES. (please navigate the drop-down menu for industry-specific news, updates, information, and links).
Please do not hesitate to contact me at karin@niagaraconstruction.org with any concerns or questions, or suggestions to our website/eblast COVID-19 information.

Thank You,

Karin Sheldrick
General Manager
www.niagaraconstruction.org