BUILDING DURHAM

The Ministry of Health has recently provided new information on the risk of COVID-19 Variants of Concern transmission through the eyes. In response, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) through the risk-assessment requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, has revised the jobsite guidance for mask wearing and eye protection with the below updates. This clarification was obtained at the urging of OHBA and was confirmed today,

• Working within 2-metres (indoors and outdoors) now requires eye protection AND an appropriate mask AT ALL TIMES.
• Mask selection, either PPE or source control masking, must be selected based on the projects/workplace risk assessment. This may require moving from a cloth mask/face covering to a surgical or procedure mask but not necessarily an N95 unless required by the construction activity. Employers and workers need to determine what is the right mask under the circumstances where people are working within 2-metres of each other.
• Eye protection would include goggles, safety glasses, prescription glasses with side shields that are tight fitting and should also be selected based on the risk assessment. For example, if eye-protection is required to reduce the transmission of COVID but also if the construction activity requires so, such as in demolition activities, then eye protection would need to satisfy both requirements.

Members should ensure these new protocols are known and implemented on jobsites. If members receive an MOL Order (warning) for non-compliance related to this updated guidance please review the IHSA website and guidance document for more direction.

MOL Summons (tickets) for non-compliance can be issued under the Duties of an Employer Section 25.2.H of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1990. This means that at some point an MOL warning can become a ticket and fine. 

Why is it important to update your PPE requirements? To reduce the risk of transmission and possible local public health orders to self-isolate for 14 days.

If a positive COVID case is reported at your jobsite, the local public health unit will investigate and determine the exposure risk the COVID positive individual had in relation to other workers on the site. Updating your PPE requirements to the new guidance on eye protection and masking could support the local public health unit in determining that other workers in contact with the positive COVID contact are not at risk of transmission, and do not need to isolate for 14 days. If on the other hand, the local public health units determines that the lack of eye protection and proper masking related to close contact interaction increases the risk of transmission to other workers, they may determine that those workers must isolate for 14 days.

We need to work safer than ever to keep each other safe. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Katelyn Widdop Phone: 905-579-8080 ext. 1 Email: k.widdop@drhba.com

DRHBA ANNOUNCES 2021 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS

Gala event streamed virtually through YouTube on April 22nd, 2021 at 3pm

Durham – April 26^th, 2021 - The Durham Region Home Builders' Association (DRHBA) is excited to announce the winners of their 2021 Awards of Excellence.

These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in new homes, home renovations, innovative technology and construction, outstanding presentation, and marketing of projects within Durham Region. The show went live on Thursday, April 22nd at 3 pm and everyone was able to tune in from home to watch. Builder of the Year – Large Volume was won by Minto Communities Ontario and Builder of the Year – Small Volume was won by Geranium with credit to RN Design Limited and Colours & Concepts Inc. Congratulations to all of our winners!

This year's winners include:

Marketing Awards:

Excellence in Digital Marketing

Brookfield Residential – Drawn Homes

Excellence in Logo Design

Upperview Homes – Grandview Trail (North Oshawa Living)

Excellence in Print Ad/Direct Mail Piece

Upperview Homes – Grandview Trail (North Oshawa Living)

Excellence in Sales Brochure Design

COOLAID Studios – Y Towns

Excellence in Signage

Upperview Homes – Grandview Trail (North Oshawa Living)

Excellence in Social Media

Tribute Communities – Tribute Communities Corporate

Excellence in Website Design

A&R Developments

On-Site Sales Presentation Awards:

Excellence in Interior Decorating – Model Home/Suite

Minto Communities Ontario with credit to RN Design Limited – Winchester, Ivy Ridge

Excellence in New Homes Sales Office – Large Volume

The Vogue Development Group – Vogue at Queens Common Sales Centre

Excellence in New Homes Sales Office – Small Volume

Upperview Homes – Grandview Trail (North Oshawa Living)

New Home Design – Custom Built Awards:

Excellence in Custom Built Bathroom Design

Wiltshire Homes Canada – Westshore

Excellence in Custom Built Kitchen Design

Wiltshire Homes Canada – Annland

Excellence in Custom Built Home (under 2500 sq. ft.)

Andelwood Homes – Brooklin

Excellence in Custom Built Home (2501-3500 sq. ft.)

LCM Project Management and General Contracting – Hanover

Excellence in Custom Built Home (3501-4500 sq. ft.) 

RN Designs with credit to Colours & Concepts Inc. - Williamsberg Estate

Excellence in Custom Built Homes (4501 sq. ft. and up)

A&R Developments – Luxury Homes in Whitby

RenoMark Home Renovator Awards:

Excellence in Bathroom Renovation

Accubuilt Construction Ltd. With credit Rocpal Custom Cabinets – Uxbridge Bathroom

Excellence in Kitchen Renovation

Accubuilt Construction Ltd. With credit to Rocpal Custom Cabinets – Raglan Kitchen

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition (under $100,000)

Trademark Homes – Cochrane

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition ($100,001 - $250,000)

Paradisaic Building Group – Law Addition

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition ($250,001 – $500,000)

Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Raglan Addition

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition ($500,001 and Up)

Tribute Communities with credit to Cassidy + Company Residential Design Consultants – Westney Heritage

New Home Design – Production Built Awards:

Excellence in Mid-Rise Building Design

Kiya Developments – Bloor Street West

Excellence in Multi- Unit Suite Design

Kiya Developments – Bloor Street

Excellence in High-Rise Building Design

Kiya Developments – Vipond

Excellence in Production Built Bathroom Design

Trademark Homes with credit to Rocpal Custom Cabinets, Pollard Windows & Doors Inc, Don and Son Building Supplies Limited – Nash

Excellence in Production Built Kitchen Design

Geranium with credit to RN Design Limited and Colours & Concepts Inc. – The Chesterman

Excellence in Semi-Detached or Townhome OVER 2000 sq. ft.

Tribute Communities with credit to Cassidy + Company Residential Design Consultants – Findlay

Excellence in Semi-Detached or Townhome UNDER 2000 sq. ft.

Tribute Communities with credit to Cassidy + Company Residential Design Consultants – Foster

Excellence in Single 2001 sq. ft. to 3000 sq. ft.

Trademark Homes – Nash

Excellence in Single 3001 sq. ft. to 4000 sq. ft.

Minto Communities Ontario with credit RN Design Limited – Kendalwood

Outstanding Achievement Awards:

Excellence in Training and Development

Enbridge Gas Inc.

Excellence in Workplace Safety

Brookfield Residential

Corporate Citizenship

Enbridge Gas Inc.

Trade of the Year

The Fireside Group Inc.

Supplier of the Year

Reliance Home Comfort

Renovator of the Year

Accubuilt Construction Ltd.

Green Builder of the Year

Brookfield Residential

Community of the Year

Geranium with credit to RN Design Limited and Colours & Concepts Inc. – Courts of Canterbury

Builder of the Year – Large Volume

Minto Communities Ontario

Builder of the Year – Small Volume

Geranium with credit to RN Design Limited and Colours & Concepts Inc.

The Durham Region Home Builders' Association is a non-profit association composed of home builders, renovators, trade contractors, suppliers and related professionals.  They have been an active voice for the residential construction industry in Durham Region for 65 years.  For more information, visit www.drhba.com.

For a pdf copy of the above click here!

On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, the Town of Whitby with their consultants SGL Planning & Design Inc. hosted their first stakeholder session on the comprehensive zoning bylaw review.

The presentation can be viewed here.

Town staff and their consultants are looking for feedback on this file.  You can complete an online survey here between now and May 13, and register to attend their virtual Community Engagement Session on Wednesday, April 28 at 7 p.m.

The goal of the comprehensive zoning bylaw review is to create new Town-wide Zoning Bylaw to manage land use and future development for all types of uses including residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural.  Specifically, the Town wants to create a bylaw that:

• Reflects current zoning practices
• Implements provincial and regional policy
• Aligns with the Town's updated Official Plan, and
• Is easy to read and understand

A series of Phase I background reports have been completed and released and can be viewed here.

The Region of Durham is currently undertaking an amendment to their development charge bylaw and has released the Background Study.

The amended rates reflect a $305 increase per single/semi-detached (less than 1%).

The proposed rates are here:

The public meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2021 and the amended bylaw will be considered by council on June 23, 2021.  

The Region has also released the 2021 Regional Transit Development Charge Background Study and the 2021 GO Transit Development Charge Background Study.

If you have any comments or concerns, please contact Stacey.

The Town of Whitby has been reviewing and updating their Development Charge Bylaw and has just released the new proposed rates, which can be found here.

The new rate of $35,815 per single detached represent a 47% ($11,397) increase over their current rate of $24,418.

However, when the Town of Whitby initially released their proposed rates, the charge for a single detached was proposed to be $43,366, a $19,948 increase.  DRHBA has been working with a stakeholder group for several months, and together with consultants, this work has reduced the proposed new rate by $7,551.

The draft DC bylaw is scheduled to be brought to council on Monday, May 17, 2021.

More information on the process and the new development charge bylaw can be found here.

The Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) has released their formal submission on the Greenbelt consultation.  This document includes input and feedback from members, local HBAs, staff and their volunteer board.

OHBA will continue to keep members informed on next steps as the province reviews the feedback they have received as part of this consultation.  

A reminder that the Ministry will continue to accept submissions through this week and OHBA is there to support members who wish to provide comments. OHBA has also created this template that members can use to submit feedback.

In keeping with the resolution passed by Oshawa's Development Services Committee, the City of Oshawa has sent a letter to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing in response to the posting on the Environmental Registry of Ontario entitled "Consultation on growing the size of the Greenbelt."

Copies of this letter were also sent to the Region of Durham, Durham area municipalities, Durham area MPPs, CLOCA and BILT.

In consultation with Ron Kelusky, Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO), the following information has been made available for members to consider during this third wave of COVID. We remind members that our industry’s ability to remain designated as an essential workplace requires our strict adherence to provincial guidelines. The government begun a targeted province-wide inspection of construction sites last week and will continue this week. Workplace inspectors, supported by provincial offenses officers, will visit 1,300 construction sites in the coming weeks to enforce safety requirements. 
 
The CPO urged all members as a best practice to:

• Communicate to employees on site and reinforce the need to adhere to strict masking and eye protection protocols where a two-metre separation cannot be maintained. Please review the guide on using masks in the workplace, which is the current guidance. 
   
• Pay specific attention to break and lunch rooms to ensure that a two-metre separation is enforced when people are eating and not masked, and that during breaks, either two-metre separation or masking are strictly enforced.
   
• Where carpooling is occurring, a physical barrier, such as plexiglass, should be used to separate vehicle passengers, or if that is not possible, the passengers and the driver are advised to wear eye protection, such as a face shield, and follow masking protocols.  
   
• Encourage staff to wear masks at all times, even if working outside and maintaining a two-metre distance. A common complaint, often noted in the media, has been construction workers not wearing masks. This is fueling speculation that construction sites are a major source of infection and leading to pressure on officials to take action.
   
• Pay close attention to on-site sanitation procedures, ensuring that tools and common areas are routinely and properly sanitized. Ensure that sanitizer is available.

Beyond the CPO’s advice, the amended construction work hours provide the opportunity for construction sites to adjust schedules to limit worker contact during the work day.  

• Where possible, please schedule one trade in the home at a time and one trade outside the home at a time. The amended construction work hours (6:00 AM – 10:00 PM) provide the opportunity for construction sites to adjust schedules to limit worker contact during the work day.  

Rapid Testing Update
The CPO indicated that rapid testing has been deployed on some large construction sites, to good effect. Members who are interested should consider implementing rapid testing as a voluntary proactive measure. Test kits are free to companies that meet certain thresholds, but the cost of administering the test must be covered by the company. The company must also sign a contract to agree to use the tests for the intended purpose and to report aggregate data. Read more information. Members who are interested should contact Viki Krstev at the MLTSD.

Vaccination Update
The government continues to fine-tune its vaccine plans. As previously indicated, construction workers are to be included in phase 2, subject to availability and exclusive of vaccinations currently happening in hot zones and community-based pop-up clinics.

There is a possibility of employer-sponsored vaccination clinics in hot zones in the future. Interested companies should email the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force to submit requests for vaccinations on-site, shared with the community in hotspot locations. The request should include location and address, facility description, number of employees, if location was subject to an outbreak, willingness to open for community to receive the vaccination and the provision of resources to administer and coordinate the process.

OHBA reminds member companies to revisit and to have COVID-19 safety plans and take all necessary steps to protect workers, clients and members of the public. As a reminder, the Ontario government website has guidance for construction site health and safety. In addition, ensure that any office spaces are also compliant with public health and workplace safety measures. 

We need to work safer in this third wave of COVID, and more information will follow as additional provincial guidance is provided.

Targeted Health & Safety Blitz Focuses on Keeping Workers Safe in Hot-Spot Regions

The Ontario government will begin targeted province-wide inspections of construction sites this Friday, dispatching 200 workplace inspectors, supported by provincial offenses officers, to visit 1,300 constructions sites to enforce safety requirements. Officers will also be visiting over 500 workplaces, including big box stores, food processors, manufacturers and warehouses, in Ottawa, Toronto and York Region, which have been identified as hot spots for COVID-19.

Details were provided today by Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

"Construction workers continue to be needed on the frontlines to build hospitals, testing centres, broadband and other critical infrastructure our province needs," said Minister McNaughton. "We've inspected these worksites regularly throughout the pandemic, but it is more important than ever, with these new variants spreading, that we continue to ensure that construction worksites are following the rules and that workers who still go to work every day are protected."

Inspectors will be checking that employers understand the risks associated with COVID-19, including how to reduce the spread in their workplace, and that measures and procedures are in place to keep workers safe. They will also be ensuring that workers are practising safe work habits both on the clock and on breaks, checking for physical distancing and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment when required.

Hot-spot workplace inspections in Ottawa, Toronto and York Region build on recent intensified inspection campaigns in Peel and Halton Regions last weekend. These campaigns will focus on enforcing the COVID-19 safety requirements and identifying those who are not following the rules. Violations may result in fines of up to $750 for individuals and $1,000 for businesses.

***

It is absolutely critical that members continue to invest in and enhance health, safety and sanitation protocols as new COVID variants are more contagious and require more vigilance on jobsites. Members should review the Ministry of Labour’s guidelines for construction here and implement any infection prevention and control procedures not already in place. Also, please consult other supporting resources including OHBA’s COVID webpage, template COVID workplace health and safety plans (which all workplaces must have) and IHSA resources.

At the April 13th, 2021 Finance & Administration Committee meeting at the Region, Mary Simpson, Director - Financial Planning and Purchasing at the Region of Durham, made a brief presentation on the plans for updating the Region's development charge bylaw.

The amendment will seek to address the following:

• Remove 10% reduction on soft services
• Remove ineligible Social Services development charge as of September 18, 2022
• Include new secondary unit exemptions
• Reflect changes in collection of DCs and freezing of DCs
• Include growth-related costs for new long-term care home
• Planned implementation date - July 1, 2021
• Introduce Regional interest rate policy to address DC deferral and freezing of DCs

It should be noted that the province approved the Regional Application for a new 200-bed Long-Term Care Home in North Pickering, and staff are adapting the planned spring 2021 amendments to the Regional DC bylaw to include the consideration of the inclusion of the growth-related portion of costs for the new LTC home as part of the existing Regional DC charge for LTC.

The following is the planned timeline:

Background studies and proposed bylaws available to the public on the Region's website	April 23, 2021
Public meeting Notice	By May 5, 2021
Public Meeting of Council	May 26, 2021
Final date for public comment	May 28, 2021
Finance & Administration Committee Meeting	June 8, 2021
Regional Council Meeting	June 23, 2021
Implementation of DC Bylaw Amendments	July 1, 2021

After the presentation, several councillors had questions for Mary.

Pickering Regional Councillor Kevin Ashe asked if Mary had any information about a "voluntary development charge" implemented by York Region that funded the local hospitals, and asked if the Region could consider doing something similar.  Mary noted that hospital funding is not deemed an eligible service and she was not familiar with York's policies, but agreed to add the conversation to their policy discussions.

Mary also noted that the use of area-specific development charges (possibly in relation to new GO stations in Oshawa, Courtice and Bowmanville) and affordable housing considerations will be part of the policy discussions.

Councillor Ted Smith asked that in light of the changes to the Development Charges Act, "would you say that development is no longer going to pay for development, which is what development charges were created for?"

Mary's response was, "The methodology in some ways has modified a long standing concern, on the other hand, we are waiting to see what the implications are of the freezing of the rates and the ability to transfer payments out over time for those three classes of development.  I would point out though, for residential, none of the payment options, the deferral over the five or the 20 years applies.  Those are only for non-profit, rental and institutional, and in fact, we have been granted the elimination of the 10% deduction, which we were forced to make as part of the legislative methodology for development charges.  So I think I will be in a better question to answer that question when we come forward with the public meeting in May."

The presentation can be viewed here.

If you have comments, questions or concerns, please contact Stacey.