COVID-19 – Update – Government Accelerates Essential Construction Projects

On April 8, 2020, the Government of Ontario announced that it will be extending the hours for construction work on "essential construction projects" to 24 hours a day. Local noise bylaws will be temporarily limited for "essential construction projects" starting on April 7, 2020.

It would appear that all construction-related essential workplaces will fall within the scope of "essential construction projects"; however, the Government of Ontario's news release expressly mentioned only healthcare-related projects, such as "new hospital builds, expansions, and COVID-19 assessment centres". We will update you on this issue once further details are released.

The extension of construction work hours is intended to accelerate the completion of "essential construction projects", while at the same time, facilitate COVID-19 health and safety measures (e.g., staggered shifts and limits on the number of workers in an area).