Construction industry braces for ‘devastating’ shutdown as Ford calls for closure of non-essential workplaces

Thestar.com
March 25, 2020
Josh Rubin

As workplaces across the province fall silent one by one, the busy hum of construction sites has carried on, mostly business as usual. That could be about to change.

With Ontario Premier Doug Ford announcing a province-wide shutdown of non-essential workplaces and Toronto Mayor John Tory declaring a state of emergency on Monday, the construction industry is bracing for closure.

Builders, unions and trade associations are preparing for a shutdown --partial or complete --and are urging governments to help affected workers and companies.

“The consequences of a complete shutdown would be devastating,” said John Mollenhauer, president of the Toronto Construction Association.

Mollenhauer, who said the construction industry accounts for between six and seven per cent of Ontario’s economy, hopes that some projects will be permitted to continue. But the definition of what’s essential, he admits, is a thorny issue.

“Who am I to decide what’s essential? I’m a builder. Finishing construction on a hospital is a no-brainer. Is a condo tower essential? Maybe. That’s homes for potentially hundreds of families at a time when there’s a housing shortage,” Mollenhauer said, adding construction could slowly grind to halt regardless because of supply-chain issues.

“Just moving materials and equipment onto sites is harder right now,” Mollenhauer said.

Amid reports of unsanitary, crowded conditions at some construction sites, Ford also had some simple advice for workers concerned about their safety.

“Leave the site,” was Ford’s directive Monday to construction workers who don’t feel safe on the job because of overflowing outhouses or no access to hand sanitizer. Ford fumed at what he called “bad actors” in the industry.

“To have outhouses overflowing, not having proper sanitary items? Get your act together. Get your act together. Take care of your front-line construction workers. … And if they don’t do it, we will do it,” Ford said.

While he wouldn’t confirm it directly, Ford suggested some construction sites will be allowed to stay open, especially the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital being built in Vaughan.

“We need to get that up and going as soon as possible. It’s absolutely critical that we get that hospital up and moving ASAP,” Ford said.

In an emailed statement, Ontario’s Labour Minster Monte McNaughton said his department would be keeping a close watch on the situation.

“Our government continues to monitor this situation. The health and safety of Ontario’s workers is our top priority,” McNaughton said. “The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is continuing to investigate all occupational health and safety concerns. They are giving priority to COVID-19-related issues and other cases that may pose an imminent hazard to workers.”

Tory, in a virtual news conference after declaring a state of emergency, said he didn’t have the power to shut down construction sites, but Eileen De Villa --the city’s chief medical officer of health --almost certainly does. Tory also said he hoped some sites could remain open, as long as they’re safe.

“Safety is absolutely the first priority. But we’re trying not to put any more people out of work than is absolutely necessary,” Tory said.

In a conference call with construction industry stakeholders Monday afternoon, Tory said many acknowledged that some work simply shouldn’t be done right now.

“They said there’s some work that has to be done shoulder to shoulder,” Tory said.

The Laborers’ International Union of North America blasted developers and contractors for not following distancing and sanitary protocols on work sites.

“The safety and well-being of LIUNA members and workers across the industry remain our priority. If these issues are not resolved in an expedited manner, we will have no choice but to recommend a complete and total shutdown of the construction industry,” LIUNA said in an open letter to federal Labour Minister Filomena Tassi and Ontario’s McNaughton.

In an email following Ford’s announcement, LIUNA spokesperson Victoria Mancinelli said it’s unclear which construction sites --if any --will be allowed to continue.

“It’s difficult at this time to understand what construction sites will be deemed essential and non-essential, and we are awaiting for clarification from the premier and the minister of labour following today’s announcement,” Mancinelli said.

If some projects are allowed to continue, Mollenhauer said they need to be held to the highest safety standards possible, and inspections need to be stepped up.

“I’ve been on calls and heard horror stories of people being crowded together. Sites like that should absolutely be shut down. Imagine being on a site like that and having to go home to your family afterwards. You’d be putting everyone at risk,” Mollenhauer said.

Any construction workers put out of work by a shutdown will need extensive assistance, both financial and in terms of mental health, Mancinelli said.

“We expect the government to take sufficient steps to ease the economic hardships workers and their families will face. We want to see an increase of accessible mental- health support programs to assist in this transition for LIUNA members and their families, and all workers for that matter,” Mancinelli said.