UPDATE: Ontario releases list of essential construction projects

Canada.constructconnect.com
Jan. 14, 2021

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office has released a list of construction projects deemed essential after the province declared a provincial emergency this afternoon.

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 essential.

Essential projects are deemed to be:

• Construction projects and services associated with the health care sector and long-term care, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.
• Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy, mining and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.
• Construction projects and services that support the operations of, and provide new capacity in schools, colleges, universities, municipal infrastructure and child care centres within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
• Construction projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
• Construction projects and services that support the operations of Broadband internet and cellular technologies and services.
• Critical industrial construction activities required for,
• the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,
• significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work has already commenced,
• industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance, and/or enhancement of Personal Protective Equipment, medical devices (such as ventilators), and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Construction projects that are due to be completed before July 2021 and that would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages or agricultural products.
• Construction projects that were commenced before Jan. 12, 2021, and that would,
• provide additional capacity for businesses that provide logistical support, distribution services, warehousing, storage or shipping and delivery services, or
• provide additional capacity in the operation and delivery of information technology services or telecommunications services.
• Residential construction projects where,
• a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes
• the project is a condominium, mixed use or other residential building, or
• the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before Jan. 12, 2021.
• Construction to prepare a site for an institutional, commercial, industrial or residential development, including any necessary excavation, grading, roads or utilities infrastructure.
• Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active and to ensure ongoing public safety.
• Below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects, such as apartments and condominiums.
• Construction on any project intended to provide either,
• affordable housing, or
• shelter or supports for vulnerable persons
• If the project is being funded in whole or in part by, or is being undertaken by, any of the following:
• 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 in the Housing Services Act, 2011, or
• a registered charity and not for profit within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).