Ontario’s construction sector is completely open for business, contrary to a statement made by Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott Friday afternoon.
During a media conference held by the premier’s office late Friday afternoon to announce an escalation in COVID lockdowns across the province, Elliott said, “Manufacturing, supply chains and most construction can continue. These measures are being put into place to prioritize the essential services we rely on.”
The office of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) immediately began to field inquiries from its members and it wasn’t until Sunday that it was established that there was no change in the status of any of the sectors in the construction industry.
“The construction sector is open,” OGCA president Giovanni Cautillo confirmed Monday. “As long as the contractor and site has protocols and procedures in place, it’s business as usual.
“After the announcement, there were questions, and we did our due diligence on behalf of the industry.”
As soon as the OGCA confirmed the status had not changed, it communicated the news to its members and also posted it to the OGCA website.
A new emergency regulation that went into effect Sunday listed construction among businesses that may remain open with no conditions: “Construction activities or projects and related services that support construction activities or projects, including demolition services.”
The OGCA also received inquiries about worker travel between health authority zones and on Monday the province’s Chief Prevention Officer Ron Kelusky confirmed there would be no restrictions on worker movement.
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