WCA News
WCA News
The Link2Build Layperson's Guide to the Construction Act
October 23, 2019
The Link2Build Layperson's Guide to the Construction Act
This guide helps you understand and adapt to Ontario's new Construction Act, which came into full effect October 1st.
COCA Letter on Pandemic Response In the Construction Industry
March 18, 2020
COCA's Letter on Pandemic Response In the Construction Industry has been sent to the Provincial Government.
As we know the COVID landscape is constantly changing. ICOCA will continue to provide you updates - these websites are updated regularly and provide the latest information on COVID-19:
- Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html - Candian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/coronavirus.html - Government of Ontario
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus - WSIB
https://www.wsib.ca/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-update
Change in Hours of Operation
March 25, 2020
Change in WCA/HCA Hours of Operation
As you’re aware, the Premier ordered that all non-essential workplaces must close. The construction industry, however, has been declared an essential service and continues to operate. The services at the WCA will also continue, but under modified hours, and we have now taken the necessary arrangements to continue our operations with all staff members having the ability to perform most functions from home.
Effective March 26, 2020 we will be modifying our hours of operation as follows:
Monday to Friday ~ Office OPEN from 8:30am to 12:30 pm
Members who require services to be delivered by the WCA such as The Commissioning of Statutory Declarations, picking up CCDC documents, or project prints can expect these services to be available during the morning hours.
For members who visit after hours, please feel free to utilize the “mail shoot” to the right of the front door to drop off your CCDC 9’s for signature, and they will be signed and available for you the following business day morning.
There are conditions when visiting the Association posted at the WCA, and we ask that you please follow these to ensure everyone’s safety. Only one person will be permitted to enter the office at a time, all surfaces will be disinfected after each visitor, and you must remain a minimum of 2 meters away from association staff.
Further, if you’ve been outside Canada in the past 14 days, OR if you’ve had contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who has tested positive for the virus OR if you have a fever, cough, or are experiencing shortness of breath, please do not come or attempt to enter the building.
Staff will continue to be available to serve our members through this pandemic either by phone or email. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these difficult times. We will continue to update you all with any new information we receive.
Assorted Covid 19 Updates
April 16, 2020
Please see April 16 Builders News for a number of updates.
COCA Advocacy
April 21, 2020
The Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) has been lobbying on behalf of the industry on four main issues stemming from the CORVID19 pandemic:
- WSIB – To ensure that claims stemming from COVID19 are not attributed to a individual employers, but if approved they should be spread over a larger class
- Exempting the Construction Act from Regulation 73/20, which in effect extended lien rights for the duration of the state of emergency, and inadvertently froze the release of holdback
- Lobbying the government to make a statement that would protect contractors from delay claims and their attendant costs (and possible litigation)
- Asking the provincial government to come up with a cash recovery program for contractors to improve liquidity and mitigate the costs incurred while working under an unprecedented set of conditions
No.’s 1 & 2 have been addressed. COVID19 related cases will be attributed to all Schedule 1 employers, and not to any individual firm. And late last Thursday the Construction Act was exempted from Regulation 73/20, which means your lien rights will rely on the Construction Act and will expire in 60 days after CSP or last day on the job. And since they now will expire, the owners can determine if the title is cleared and if it is, release the holdback.
The last 2 points continue to be the focus of discussions with the Ontario Government (as well as the Federal Government, through NTCCC). Below is a link to a letter writing campaign to raise the awareness of these concerns across all MPP’s. It will take you 5 minutes to fill in your name, address and email and hit send. Anyone can send this letter, so you can circulate to family, friends or anyone else who may support this. This link will be shared with all 30 of COCA’s member organizations.
Every letter helps, especially when it comes from members of the MPP’s own riding. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
https://www.coca.on.ca/contact-your-mpp/
City of WindsorC OVID-19 Service Updates
May 19, 2020
Cloud Permit Rollout - Building Department Fee Increases
June 15, 2020
Daily COVID-19 Screening Now Required in Ontario Workplaces - September 26 2020
September 28, 2020
The amendment imposes a requirement that “the person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening individuals.”
The same day, the Ministry of Health issued its COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Business and Organizations). Please click here for this. The Tool provides screening questions for any worker or essential visitor (defined in the Tool) seeking to enter the work environment. The Tool does not apply to patrons of a workplace, essential workers who travel outside of Canada for work, or emergency services or other first responders who may enter a workplace for emergency purposes.
Bottom Line: Effective September 26, 2020, each Ontario workplace is now required to pro-actively screen employees for COVID-19-related symptoms and risk factors prior to entry into the work environment, each day the employee seeks to enter the work environment (this would not apply to an employee working at home that day). The screening tool should include, at a minimum, the questions identified in the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Businesses and Organizations).