COVID-19: STAGE 2 BEGINNING TO OPEN

June 8 Update

 

ONTARIO PERMITS MORE BUSINESSES AND SERVICES TO REOPEN IN THE COMING DAYS

 

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local health officials, the government is easing restrictions in communities where it is safe to do so, based on trends of key public health indicators such as lower rates of transmission, increased capacity in hospitals, and progress made in testing.

 

Effective Friday, June 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people across the province, regardless of whether a region has moved to Stage 2. Additionally, all places of worship in Ontario will also be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.

 

June 1 Update

 

Prime Minister Announces Support for Municipalities

 

After significant pressure from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and many other organizations (including OSSGA!) Prime Minister Trudeau, today announced that funding delivered through the federal Gas Tax Fund will be accelerated this year to help communities as quickly as possible while respecting public health guidelines.

 

This means that $2.2 billion in annual federal infrastructure funding for communities will be delivered in one payment in June. The government says that early delivery of the full funding for 2020-21 will help communities quickly move forward with infrastructure projects that will “improve our quality of life and help restart local economies”.

 

Communities have the flexibility to use the funding to meet their local needs. Projects could include access to high-speed broadband, improvements to water and road systems, and the building of cycling and walking paths. While these projects will create jobs, municipalities will have some flexibility as to what type of infrastructure projects they choose to fund, but they will not be permitted to use the funds to underwrite operating costs.

 

The government has also hinted that this is only the first announcement to help municipalities. OSSGA will continue to push all levels of government for increased infrastructure spending to help kickstart Ontario’s economy and ensure there are contracts in the pipeline.

 

For more information please contact OSSGA's Executive Director Norm Cheesman at ncheesman@ossga.com

 

May 14, 2020 Update

 

Ontario Announces Additional Workplaces that Can Reopen 

 

Today, the Ontario government announced the retailers, seasonal businesses and health and community service providers who will be permitted to open or expand their services on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., provided that the general trend on health indicators continues to improve as part of the first stage of the government's reopening framework. 

 

The government also announced additional seasonal services and activities will be permitted to open as early as Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., in time for the Victoria Day long weekend, as key public health indicators continue to show progress.

 

Detailed List of Stage 1 Workplace Openings:

 

This list is effective May 19, 2020, and may be updated when the corresponding emergency orders are amended.

 

Construction