A COVID-19 UPDATE TO MEMBERSHIP - Monday, April 27, 2020
Prime Minister and Premier Announce Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
for Small Businesses
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford announced last Friday that the federal government has reached an agreement in principle with all provinces and territories to implement the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. This program will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.

To read synopsis from COCA click HERE .

For April 24th media release from the Premier, click HERE

For April 24th media release from the Prime Minister, click HERE .
Ontario Extends Emergency Orders to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19
TORONTO — On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is extending all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 6, 2020. This extension will help protect the health and well-being of people across the province and stop the spread of COVID-19.

For full April 23rd release, click HERE
Nine Suggestions to Help Navigate Work Refusals
One of the consequences of working in an essential industry during a time of pandemic is a heightened awareness of risk. It's only human to be concerned for yourself and for others. Could my customer or my co-worker be an asymptomatic transmitter? Am I putting my family at risk?

Employers have an obligation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take reasonable care to maintain a safe and healthy workplace at all times, including during a pandemic. At the same time, workers have the right to refuse work if they believe it is likely to endanger themselves or other workers. This right is a pillar of our prevention system.

Click HERE for full article.
Up-to-date 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.
Your Action Is Needed!
Send This 30-second Letter to MPP's 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.
Free COVID-19 Webinar:
Mitigating Workplace Risk and Leveraging Government Assistance 
On May 1st, Sherrard Kuzz LLP and Thorsteinssons LLP are presenting a seminar covering:

  • Managing employee leaves in a pandemic and post-pandemic workplace
  • Health and safety considerations
  • Layoffs, recalls and terminations – mitigating risk.
  • Tax consequences to individuals receiving support under the Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) Program and Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
  • The 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy and 75% Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – how employers can qualify and tax consequences when they do
  • Unique issues with the CEWS for owner-managers and groups of employers
   
DATE & TIME: Friday May 1 from 10AM-11AM
REGISTER HERE by April 29
For more information click HERE
Free COVID-19 Litigation Webinar Update:
Identifying Issues and Managing Risk
Kennaley Construction Law and Sherrard Kuzz LLP will explore the following during their next webinar on COVID-19 and the Construction Industry in Ontario , scheduled for Tuesday April 28, 2020 at 9AM:

a) the extent to which the right to a schedule extension or additional compensation will be lost or waived where a party has failed to meet a notice, approval or other conditional requirement of a contract or subcontract;
b) the extent to which legislative solutions could, or should, be retroactively imposed to alter contracts or subcontracts to provide remedies in (otherwise) purely contractual situations;
c) an update on what can, and cannot, continue as essential construction under O. Reg. 82/20;
d) OHSA, WSIB, employment and labour law issues; and
e) participants' questions during our Q&A portion.

Related blog HERE .
For more information, past webinars/briefs and/or to register click HERE.
Free CCA April 30th Webinar:
Navigating COVID-19: Managing Insurance Coverage and Claims for Losses Resulting from the Pandemic



Click the graphic
or HERE
to register

Full list of upcoming and past CCA webinars HERE
Send an 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.
WSIB COVID-19 Injury Claims:
How Workers Can File a Claim
WSIB has provided guidance for workers looking to file claims relating to COVID-19. While the nature of some people's work may put them at greater risk of contracting the virus (for example those treating someone with COVID-19), any claims received by the WSIB will need to be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances. CLICK HERE FOR FULL WSPS ARTICLE
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