April 2020

April 27, 2020 – A Framework for Reopening our Province lays out the government’s approach to the next chapter in the ongoing fight to defeat COVID-19. It outlines the principles the government will use to reopening businesses, services and public spaces in gradual stages. It also explains the criteria Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health will use to help advise the government on when it is safe to begin loosening public health restrictions. Click here to read it.

Along with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), which open April 27, 2020 there are also a number of additional programs available to employers including:
– Business Credit Availability Program
– Canada Emergency Business Account
– EDC Loan Guarantee for Small & Medium Enterprises
– BDC Co-Lending Program for Small & Medium Enterprises
– Deferal of WSIB Insurance Premium Payments,  Income Tax & GST/HST
– Increase in the Employer Health Tax Exemption

To read more please click here.

April 23, 2020 – ECA Ontario wrote to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) regarding an unfortunate, and no doubt, unintentional consequence of the Ontario Government’s actions to stop the spread of COVID-19; specifically the expiration, renewal, and “empty” or “lost” costs of electrical permits to electrical contractors throughout the Province for jobs that are/were shuttered. As a result, ESA has proposed the following relief:

• No permit renewal fees will be applied to/charged for any site to which a contractor DOES NOT have access.
• If you have a permit renewal fee due during this time, contact ESA who will (on a case-by-case basis) extend the permit for thirty (30) days.
• Renewal, as well as all other fees and permits, will continue for projects considered “essential workplaces” and to which you have access.
• No permit fees are being charged for Temporary Emergency Health Care Facilities or Temporary Residential Facilities.
• ESA is charging zero fees with respect to Home Care Ontario program.
• ESA is also pausing interest charges on outstanding permits.

It is ECAO’s understanding that ALL legitimate requests for extensions as outlined above will be granted.  It is the contractor’s responsibility to request the extension of time.

Please do not make requests for extension of time for projects to which you have access.

For any WSIB questions, we have contracted TeksMed through ECA Ontario to provide support for all issues. The number is 1-877-850-1021. This is a complimentary service for ECA Ottawa members.

Business owners can call a new HOTLINE established to answer questions concerning your essential business status. The ‘Stop The Spread’ hotline number is 1-888-444-3659. The line will be available from 8:30am – 9:00pm Monday – Friday and 8:30am – 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday.

The emergency order regarding the suspension of limitation periods and procedural time periods under the Construction Act has been lifted. This allows for the release of holdback payments to contractors and subcontractors in the normal course, helping to resolve a potentially significant cash flow problem.

The suspension was lifted on April 16, 2020 to give the industry time to prepare for these changes. Once lifted, parties will have the same amount of time to meet a deadline that had been remaining before the suspension began on March 16, 2020.

New Drop Off Rules – City of Ottawa’s 100 Constellation building has now been closed to the public and in order to facilitate the receiving of physical documents (such as signed and sealed performance bonds, contracts) during this time. Supply has made arrangements to allow vendors to drop off their documents at the Provincial offense’s fine payment drop box which is located on the exterior of the building just to the left of the front doors. You MUST indicate that your envelope is for Supply Services, 4th floor West.