COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan City, China in late 2019. Initially known as “2019 Novel Coronavirus,” the first case was reported on December 31, 2019, with confirmation and identification occurring on January 7th, 2020. On March 2, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it would be implementing enhanced measures to safeguard the public from COVID-19, including a new response structure to ensure health system readiness. As the instances of COVID-19 continue to appear in Ottawa, employers should be prepared. Having the proper plans and policies in place to address COVID-19 in the workplace will not only assist in business continuity but will also protect employees. The following articles and information will set out some of the key obligations and important issues employers should consider.
ONTARIO 2ND STATE OF EMERGENCY – Ontario Gov’t announces new Stay At Home Order – CLICK HERE
KEEPING ONTARIO SAFE & OPEN DOWNLOAD – You can download the complete Ontario framework – CLICK HERE
ONTARIO ANNOUNCES NEW COVID FRAMEWORK – Ontario government releases new framework – CLICK HERE
CONSTRUCTION SITE BEST PRACTICES FOR CONTRACTORS – Find resources, best practices & info – CLICK HERE
COVID WORKPLACE ACTION FLOWCHART – If one of your staff have potentially been exposed – CLICK HERE
RECOVERY BENEFITS – Three new recovery benefit programs replace CERB – CLICK HERE
RECORD OF EMPLOYMENT – Advice for filling out ROE – CLICK HERE
LOCAL 586 HIRING/LAYOFF PROCEDURE – Changes to hiring/layoffs during Covid – CLICK HERE
PANDEMICs & CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTIVITY – Quantifying the Impact
IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON CONTRACTORS – OCS Survey 1 Actions – OCS Survey2 Recovery – OCS Survey 3 Adaptation
Many of these steps have been shared widely, but should be reiterated to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
1. Wash your hands frequently and diligently with soap and water
2. Avoid touching common surfaces
3. Do not share tools or personal protective equipment
4. Avoiding touching your face, and particularly your eyes, nose and mouth
5. Cough or sneeze into your elbow
6. Do your part to keep common areas clean
7. If you experience symptoms of cold or flu, stay home
Ontario Enters 2nd State of Emergency
Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., the government is issuing a 2nd State of Emergency and a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain…
Ontario In LockDown December 2020
December 21, 2020 – Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced today a province-wide shutdown effective Saturday, December 26 at 12:01 a.m. Most businesses and schools will…
canada emergency rent subsidy
November 23, 2020 – The Federal Government just announced today the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have…
NEW COVID FRAMEWORK
November 20, 2020 – Ontario has a developed a new Covid-19 response framework as part of its ‘Keeping Ontario Safe & Open’ strategy. This colour-coded,…
ECA OTTAWA REMEMBERS
November 11, 2020 – Today we pause to honour the sacrifice, courage and extraordinary service of our veterans, and those who continue to serve and…
Ottawa Enters Modified Stage 2
October 9, 2020 – The Provincial Government announced targeted restrictions for Ottawa, Toronto and Peel regions due to their higher transmission rates of Covid-19. Effective…
Support for Business Owners
There are a few support systems the Federal Government has announced in the last several months which apply to business owners. Programs such as the…
Pre-Screening Now Mandatory
As COVID-19 cases increase within Ontario in what has been described as a “second wave”, the Ontario Government has implemented regulatory changes that, effective September…
New TEMPORARY EI PROGRAMS
For CERB claimants who don’t qualify for the new EI benefits, which the CCPA estimates could be as many as two million people, they may…
CERB IS OVER, NOW WHAT?
New temporary benefits – CERB is now ending and is being replaced with new Employment Insurance (EI) program. Canadians with 120 insurable hours—which equates to…
Gov’t Rolls Back Numbers In Ottawa
September 17, 2020 – Premier Doug Ford announced today, in consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and local medical officers of health, has…
Feds To Replace CERB
The federal Liberals are rolling out a $37-billion income-support plan for workers whose earnings have crashed during the pandemic. The CERB will be extended for…
Download THE Covid Mobile App
ECA Ottawa encourages our members to download the COVID Alert mobile app to protect yourself and your community! Apple App store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/id1520284227Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.gc.hcsc.canada.stopcovid. You will receive…
OTTAWA ENTERS STAGE 3
The provincial government announced that as of Friday, July 17th at midnight, Ottawa will officially enter Stage 3 of the reopening framework. This includes the…
PANDEMICS & CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTIVITY
Quantifying the Impact July 06, 2020 – ELECTRI-INTERNATION, is a research and education group for the electrical construction industry. They have just finished a report…
ONTARIO EXTENDS DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario is extending the provincial Declaration of Emergency to September 22.
LINKS TO GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Click the following link below for fact sheets and government resources.CLICK HEREClick the following link for Province of Ontario updates provided twice daily.CLICK HEREClick the…
CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY (CEWS)
For employers, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) applies at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees –…
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN GOING BACK TO WORK
As you continue to prepare your company, staff, and sites for full deployment please ensure you review the following .pdf document to assist you in…
ONTARIO CONSTRUCTION SECRETARIAT SURVEY SERIES
Between May and June 2020, the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) led a series of Contractor Surveys. These surveys include hundreds of ICI (Industrial, Commercial, and…
COMMERCIAL RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Ontario Government is committing $241 million to partner with the federal government and deliver more than $900 million in urgent relief to small businesses…
SMALL BUSINESSES AND LANDLORD RELIEF
The Ontario government is partnering with the federal government to provide urgent relief for small businesses and landlords affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The province…
ONTARIO RELEASES FRAMEWORK FOR REOPENING
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…
RECAP OF BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMS
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…
ESA FEE’S and PERMITS
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…
FOR ALL WSIB QUESTIONS
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…
CONTRACTOR HOTLINE
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…
SUSPENSION OF HOLDBACKS LIFTED APRIL 16
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…
CITY OF OTTAWA – BIDDERS HAVE NEW DROP OFF LOCATION
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…
NEW RESOURCES FOR CONTRACTORS
CCA “Standardized Protocols for All Construction Sites”Released March 27. National best practices document. IHSA Covid-19 Best Practices for Construction in OntarioReleased March 20. Suggested best practices document. OCA…
CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT (CERB)
Today the Federal government introduced the senate approved emergency aid package called the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The revised package is set at $107BN, up from…
A GUIDE TO DEALING WITH COVID 19
Read this new Construction COVID-19 resource, “DEALING with COVID-19” from the Alberta Construction Association. The guide is titled “Pandemic Planning for the Construction Industry”. The 21-page…
RECOMMENDED FOR COMPLETING EI ROE FORM
Issuing Employee ROE`s:ROEs need to be coded with a reason for why they’re being issued:Use Code A — Shortage of Work / End of Contract or Season…
COVID-19 IBEW OUT OF WORK LIST
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UPDATE – Trade School
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UPDATE – March 16, 2020
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