Essential Construction In Ontario

On April 17^th the Ontario government enforced strict regulations limiting construction to essential projects only. These restrictions do not effect critical infrastructure projects such as new hospitals, roads, and bridges. Any residential construction that has already begun will be permitted to continue throughout the Stay-At-Home Order.
The rapid changes in restrictions can be frustrating and confusing, the experts at Frank Feldman Law are here to help you navigate Construction Regulations in 2021.

See below the Ontario government’s list of all essential construction:

Essential Construction:
Construction activities or projects and related services (including land surveying and demolition services) are essential if they:

• are associated with the health care sector or long-term care, including new facilities, expansions, renovations, and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space

• ensure safe and reliable operations of, or provide new capacity in:

  • municipal infrastructure

  • provincial infrastructure, including but not limited to, the transit, transportation, resource, energy and justice sectors

• support the operations of, or provide new capacity in, electricity generation, transmission, distribution and storage, natural gas distribution, transmission and storage or in the supply of resources

• support the operations of, or provide new capacity in, schools, colleges, universities or child care centres within the meaning of the

  Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014

• are required for:

  • the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries

  • significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work commenced before April 17, 2021

  • industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance or enhancement of personal protective equipment, medical devices such as ventilators and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19covid 19 pandemic

• would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages or agricultural products

• were started before April 17, 2021 and would provide additional capacity:

  • for businesses that provide logistical support, distribution services, warehousing, storage or shipping and delivery services

  • in the operation and delivery of Information Technology (IT) services or telecommunications services

  • to, or enhance the efficiency or operations of, businesses that extract, manufacture, process and distribute goods, products, equipment and materials

• support the operations of broadband internet and cellular technologies and services

• are residential construction activities or projects and related services

• prepare a site for an institutional, commercial, industrial or residential development, including any necessary excavation, grading, roads or utilities infrastructure

• are necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused, or that are not active, to ensure ongoing public safety

• are funded in whole or in part by:

  • the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario

  • an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario

  • a municipality

• are:

  • intended to provide shelter or supports for vulnerable persons or affordable housing

  • being funded in whole or in part by, or are being undertaken by:

    • the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario

    • an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario

    • a municipality

    • a service manager as defined the

      Housing Services Act, 2011

    • a registered charity within the meaning of the

      Income Tax Act

      (Canada)

    • a not-for-profit corporation