It shut down almost all businesses, including those employing its 250,000 construction labourers, and in doing so, prompted a debate about which construction jobs really are essential. "It can be a difficult perspective for some of us to really see this for what it is, which is a safety issue, not just see it as something you got to tough out.". Both unions are giving their members safety tips, and the website of the former includes instructions for members who want to stop working on how to collect vacation pay. "Residential construction activities, projects and related services … On Friday, Premier Doug Ford announced non-essential construction sites must close, effective Saturday, April 17 at 12:01 a.m. in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Your guide to COVID-19 and its impact on life in Canada, Ontario releases list of essential workplaces that can remain open amid COVID-19 outbreak, Construction industry grappling with COVID-19 response, Quebec halts everything but essential services as community transmission of COVID-19 detected, Unions call on Quebec to shut down construction sites to protect workers from COVID-19, Graph shows how new cases of COVID-19 can quickly overwhelm a health-care system if precautions aren't taken, Facing union pressure, Husky agrees to demobilize workers in Marystown, Sask. By Kris Troppmann, regional technology manager for Finning Canada He recently tore half of his roof off to create a new bedroom and is relieved not to be confronting the challenges of trades people on big sites. While saws keep buzzing and hammers keep swinging in Ontario, that's not the case in Quebec, which has the country's strictest lockdowns. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Diana Marques of Toronto said the same rationale for shutting down schools should apply to construction sites because of the large number of people sharing the same space. James Dunne researches, produces and writes stories for the business unit at CBC News. Anthony Paglia is one of about 15 electricians at Musico Electric — all still working. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Shelter is, indeed, high in the hierarchy of needs, but some in Ontario's construction industry are nevertheless shutting down their residential building operations as the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the province and the country. "If I don't think the job site is safe, I probably won't go," he said. While many of the essential construction projects are similar to what was permitted when jobsites were closed in January, there are adjustments to project start dates. provide additional capacity to, or enhance the efficiency or operations of, businesses that extract, manufacture, process and distribute goods, products, equipment and materials. "When it comes to the necessities of life, shelter is at the top of the list," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said of his government's decision to keep residential construction going. Canada: Ontario Announces Shut Down Of Non-Essential Construction. provide additional capacity for businesses that provide logistical support, distribution services, warehousing, storage or shipping and delivery services, provide additional capacity in the operation and delivery of Information Technology (IT) services or telecommunications services, or. With Ontario's latest lockdown and stay-at-home order enacted by the Ford government comes a new restriction: Big Box, dollar, and other stores which have been permitted to remain open because they sell "essential goods" are now forbidden from selling items deemed "non-essential." industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance or enhancement of personal protective equipment, medical devices such as ventilators and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. May 13, 2020. List of services and workplaces allowed to be open gets smaller. would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages or agricultural products. 1. On April 16, 2021, as part of an announcement of new restrictions intended to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Ontario announced a shutdown of non-essential construction … The following construction projects are exempt from closure and will be permitted to continue operations: "That's why they won't shut us down. Here’s what’s considered essential construction in Ontario. Any store that sells human or pet food is deemed essential. An award-winning videojournalist, he's also worked on special projects and as the late lineup editor for the World at Six on CBC Radio One. put up a blog post explaining their position. For the purposes of the current state of emergency relating to COVID-19, the government of Ontario has deemed the following services essential: 1. Innovative software and But according to provincial guidelines, all residential renovation work including landscaping is considered essential. Construction work and services, including demolition services, in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors; 29. Some companies have said that they're committed to keeping their projects going and protecting their workers. The group shares the opinion of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario (CDCO) and Landscape Ontario, and thousands of individual workers, that the current “essential service” exemptions for construction are far too wide and that the most of the construction industry should really shut down for at least a couple of weeks. We are the slaves. He knows that's not the norm, and his boss has told him not to work if he's worried about where he's working or how many people are there. Pace Publishing Limited. Essential construction also includes any jobsite that’s funded in whole or in part by the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario, an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario, or a municipality. Some workers in the Toronto area have better conditions than others but are still concerned. In a statement, Metlin said companies must "take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health and safety of workers.". Why is construction an essential service? He also passed on a number of concerns from union members, including one employer telling workers to bring their own protective equipment to the job and gathering up masks and locking them away. "I've refused unsafe work in the past.". Beer, wine and liquor stores and alcohol producers will be open. "You're just so used to putting your boots on and going to work no matter what — pain, difficult and dangerous things to do," Meulendyks said. The firm does commercial, industrial and residential jobs. Many will disagree with this decision. Ontario workers on large job sites, unions and contractors who do smaller-scale residential and commercial projects are among the voices saying the province's definition of essential construction activities is too broad — putting workers and the public at risk. He hopes the reality of COVID-19 will resonate with an industry that demands a certain grit from everybody it employs. Ford indicated at a media conference there would be restrictions on non-essential construction as part of broader measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 but did not initially define what was … support the operations of broadband internet and cellular technologies and services; are residential construction activities or projects and related services; prepare a site for an institutional, commercial, industrial or residential development, including any necessary excavation, grading, roads or utilities infrastructure; are necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused, or that are not active, to ensure ongoing public safety. Construction activities or projects and related services, including land surveying and demolition services, that. Paglia picks up his supplies daily at the company shop, so he doesn't need to visit stores. Construction is on Ontario's list of essential services that can keep operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are growing calls within the sector for a broad industry shutdown, such as the one Quebec instituted this week. He said there have only been a small number of people on his job sites, well spread out, with hand sanitizer and masks provided. The list of all non-essential businesses in Ontario being forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been lengthened by the provincial government. ", "If it's a hospital, you know, and medical facilities that we desperately needed, fine. To clarify the distinction, the government has released a lengthy list of businesses that are considered essential services in Ontario, including the following definitions within the construction industry: It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, critical provincial … Real estate and construction services — spanning movers, realtors and demolition companies — will remain in operation while the Ontario government closes non-essential businesses in hopes of halting further transmission of the coronavirus. Workers that perform critical clinical research … Cruz, who also has a health safety consulting business, said hygiene on construction sites was a serious problem even before the pandemic. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Call us today: 877-938-1888. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. The pair emailed their clients and put up a blog post explaining their position. Construction is on Ontario's list of essential services that can keep operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are growing calls within the sector Gas stations, pharmacies, restaurant takeout facilities and food delivery services will also be open. On Monday, March 23rd, the provincial government announced the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces … A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you. A video of a Toronto construction worker complaining about working conditions circulated on social media Wednesday. "But residential, especially residential, it makes no sense.". The Government of Ontario instituted two significant changes last week affecting the construction industry during the shutdown of non-essential services. are associated with the health care sector or long-term care, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space; ensure safe and reliable operations of, or provide new capacity in. No new residential construction will be allowed to start, but those with a footing permit can continue. 2. WATCH | Flattening the curve: How to slow down spread of coronavirus: Construction workers sacrificing their health and safety for the benefit of developers was a concern raised in a recent New York Times article about the ongoing building in the city, amid its own coronavirus lockdown. Chris Ashton and his brother run Ashton Renovations and work across the Greater Toronto Area. The Ontario government has updated the list of construction projects deemed essential, and that list includes: Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space. … "The government is trying to say that construction workers are the peasants of the industry," wrote Victor Z. BREAKING: Ontario outlines essential construction projects DCN-JOC News Services April 16, 2021 TORONTO – The Ontario government has issued a list of construction projects and activities that are considered essential under expanded emergency orders issued today to deal with the pandemic. Join our newsletter for the latest heavy equipment news, tips, auction alerts and special offers. Mattamy Homes temporarily suspended work at all its construction sites and sales offices as builders around the province assess the situation. They decided to stop working on March 17, a week before Ontario's lockdown. "My husband is exposed every day to well over 50 people," she said. He has a decade of experience in business programming, including on the shows Venture and Fortune Hunters. "I mean, we've lived for the last 50 years with the subway lines we have.". The work role must be considered “essential.”. In it, the man tells a crowd of co-workers "I've got an 86-year-old at home … My wife is crying every time I go home because she doesn't know [if] I'm going to kill her father if I have something.". the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries, significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work commenced before April 17, 2021, or. Construction is on Ontario's list of essential services that can keep operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are growing calls within the sector for a broad industry shutdown, such as the one Quebec instituted this week. Friday, March 27, 2020Construction is an essential service in Ontario but some workers fear COVID-19 | Young State#Young_State The Province of Ontario has mandated another round of shutdowns to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Updated List of Essential Services in Ontario – Non Construction. Whereas the construction industry as a whole had previously been labelled as an essential service, today the province drastically limited the types of projects that will be permitted to continue operations for the time being. In it, he demanded more frequent visits by health and safety inspectors. Health. "Do we have to kill people just because we gotta open the subway?" Construction is on Ontario's list of essential services that can keep operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are growing calls within the sector for a broad industry shutdown, such as the one Quebec instituted this week. In Ontario, construction is an essential service, but some workers fear COVID-19 puts them at risk. The contractors who have put safety first and shut down their businesses for now because of COVID-19 have to explain their decision to clients who may have jobs that are incomplete or projects they are desperate to get done. In Ontario, construction is an essential service, but some workers fear COVID-19 puts them at risk Construction is on Ontario's list of … Grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores and similar markets will remain open. In Toronto, Cruz's Greenfield Enterprises has shut down construction on a commercial project converting a former restaurant space into a bank. The construction work allowed under the list of essential services the province released this week includes transit projects, health-care facilities and basically everything else. It says people cannot leave home, except for about nearly 30 essential reasons: You must not leave home, except: To go to work or volunteer. The Ontario chapter of the Labourers' International Union of North America, which represents 90,000 members, is not calling for a shutdown, but union leader Jack Oliveira wrote a pointed letter to the province's Ministry of Labour. 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Ontario workers on large job sites, unions and contractors who do smaller-scale residential and commercial projects are among … We reserve the right to close comments at any time. No new residential construction starts The Government of Ontario released the list of … Work may also continue where the construction will provide shelter or supports for vulnerable persons or affordable housing; an being funded in whole or in part by, or are being undertaken by, the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario; an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario;  a municipality, a service manager as defined the Housing Services Act, 2011, or a registered charity within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), or a not-for-profit corporation. Many comments in the Ontario online petition highlighted work site conditions. Contractor Derek Meulendyks didn't have to let any clients down because he's been working on his own house in Toronto's Little Italy neighbourhood for several months. Add some “good” to your morning and evening. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Ontario announced updates to its essential services list, stating that most residential construction in the province will be paused for now in order to enforce health and safety and flatten the COVID-19 curve. 3. Construction activities deemed essential under the emergency stay-at-home-order – April 16, 2021. Still, some customers required phone calls. Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office has released a list of construction projects deemed essential after the province declared a provincial emergency this afternoon. I'm all for it," said Antonio Cruz, a Toronto-based general contractor and project manager. Provincial inspectors will investigate all health and safety concerns, "including those related to COVID-19 in a timely manner," he said. data platforms are bringing a new kind of functionality to the construction The Government of Ontario’s amended regulation containing a new list of essential services came into effect at 11:59 pm on Saturday April 4, 2020, creating further restrictions to the number of workplaces deemed “essential”. Bradley Metlin, press secretary for the ministry, told CBC News that Ontario's government is in close contact with labour leaders and industry executives. Workers providing COVID-19 testing. As work goes on, so does the controversy around it. Ontario just banned some non-essential construction during the new round of lockdown restrictions announced on Friday. Here is a list from the Ont. RELATED: Ontario closes non-essential construction as part of stay-at-home order Under the new measures, construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector and long-term care, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space will be allowed to continue. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. construction industry wants projects to continue, with safety precautions, during pandemic, Carpenters' Union and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, who want to stop working on how to collect vacation pay, An online petition to halt construction in Ontario. All Rights Reserved. Construction has been deemed an essential service and will continue to operate. This is a question many people asked in early 2020. The Carpenters' Union and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades,  which represent about 35,000 workers combined, are calling on Ontario to shut down the construction industry because of COVID-19. You know, we'll let you in the door still.'". jobsite –... © 2019. Comments are welcome while open. Many construction projects made the list of essential services and are not on the list of closures. They will never let us stop.". Essential services may continue their operations to maintain supply chains and ensure people have access to necessities. An online petition to halt construction in Ontario has racked up more than 41,000 signatures, some accompanied by strongly worded comments. Necessary construction projects like hospitals and transportation continue. For him, there's too much at stake to justify keeping infrastructure projects going, particularly in an industry where delays are already common. His company also shut down three custom-built home projects in the city, the first at the request of the client, who wanted the work stopped to protect workers on the job. The exposure to sharing a hoist alone is dangerous to health and well-being and not to mention they have no proper handwashing stations.". said Cruz. While the latest restrictions put in place by the Ontario government includes closing construction sites, many projects will continued to be considered essential construction.

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