On April 10, 2020, the Ontario Government updated its list of construction workplaces that are permitted to operate.

All non-essential construction workplaces must close by 11:59 p.m. April 4, 2020.

Essential construction workplaces now include:

• Construction projects that are due to be completed before October 4, 2020,and that would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages or agricultural products.

For completeness, the following construction workplaces have already been deemed essential:

• Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, 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, critical provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.
• 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.
• Residential construction projects where,
  • a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes
  • an above grade structural permit has been granted for condominiums, mixed use and other buildings, or
  • the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before April 4, 2020.
• Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active and to ensure ongoing public safety.

Notwithstanding the above list, construction work may fall under other essential workplaces which can be found here

For further information, please review our Construction Information bulletin found here.

We will continue to update our clients with information as soon as it becomes available. If you have any questions about this topic, other COVID-19 related questions, or would like assistance with developing and/or reviewing pandemic plans, please do not hesitate to contact a Mathews Dinsdale lawyer, or refer to the Firm’s COVID-19 website resources.