BUILDING DURHAM

Over the next day or so, you will receive an invitation from DRHBA (Stacey/Katelyn) to join Basecamp.  This is an interactive communications software that DRHBA has been using for internal communications between staff, the board of directors and committees for almost a year now.

After you join, you will have access to a message board that will allow you to post questions or information that other members can see and comment on.  You will also be able to privately "Ping" other members to have a one-on-one conversation.  There is a live group chat feature, and a place where documents can be posted/downloaded/shared.

To start, members will be added to groups geared towards their specific membership type, i.e. Builders, Trade Contractors, Suppliers, etc. to allow to communicate with similar type businesses.  Further groups may be created if there is a demand/need.

We hope that this will provide you with a community within the building industry where you can share information, ask questions and learn from other members.  We encourage you to join (it's free), to participate in discussions and to share information that would help others that are facing similar situations/issues.  Together we are stronger and with each other's help, we can get through this.

You can login to Basecamp from your laptop or desktop, or you can download the Basecamp 3 app for your phone or tablet.

It's important to note that the default settings allow you to be notified by email every time there is a new post or comment, so it's recommended that you change your personal settings to prevent being bombarded by emails.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Katelyn (k.widdop@drhba.com) or Stacey (s.hawkins@drhba.com).

As each member must be added individually, it may take a couple of days to get invitations out to all members, so we ask for your patience at this time.

Planning and Development Services

No counter service at Town Hall.  Please email planningservices@ajax.ca or call 905-619-2529, ext. 3631.

Major Planning Applications (OPA, ZBLA, Subdivision, Condo, Site Plan) and Development Agreements, including associated fees and securities (cheque or certified cheque) are being accepted by courier to Town Hall (65 Harwood Ave. S., ON L1S 2H9), or by pre-arranged drop-off time with a staff person at Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm). All application forms must be pre-commissioned. 

Minor Planning Applications (Sign Variance, Driveway Widening*, Property Information Request, Tree Cutting) are being accepted by mail or courier to Town Hall (65 Harwood Ave. S., ON L1S 2H9); by dropping off at Town Hall (mailbox); or by pre-arranged drop-off time with a staff person at Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm).  All application forms must be pre-commissioned and accompanied by a cheque (we are not accepting cash payments).

*Please note that Driveway Widening applications will only be accepted if they are related to a condition of approval for a Minor Variance.

Minor Variance Applications are being accepted by mail or courier to Town Hall (65 Harwood Ave. S., ON L1S 2H9); by dropping off at Town Hall (mailbox); or by pre-arranged drop-off time with a staff person at Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm).  All application forms must be pre-commissioned and accompanied by a cheque (we are not accepting cash payments).

Heritage Permit Applications and Pickering Village CIP Grant Applications can be emailed to planningservices@ajax.ca.

Procedures for Pre-Consultation Meetings have changed.  The Town is still accepting applications, but will not hold in-person meetings until further notice.  For information on how to submit a Pre-Consultation Application and have it reviewed, please email: planningservices@ajax.ca

Building Services

No counter service at Town Hall. Please email buildinginspections@ajax.ca or call 905-683-4550.

Building and Demolition Permit Applications (including Site Servicing) are being accepted by mail or courier to Town Hall (65 Harwood Ave. S., ON L1S 2H9); by dropping off at Town Hall (mailbox); or by pre-arranged drop-off time with a staff person at Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm).  All application forms must be accompanied by a cheque.

Alternatively, Building and Demolition Permit Applications can be submitted electronically to: BpApp@ajax.ca. 

Click Here for Building Permit Submission Requirements

Changes to Building Inspections:  As part of the Towns ongoing COVID-19 response efforts, effective immediately, the performance of all building inspections that requires the inspector to enter into an occupied dwelling, will be conducted utilizing either Apple Facetime or Google Duo video chat applications. Instructions on how to use these applications for this purpose can be obtained by contacting your assigned Building Inspector, or by emailing buildinginspections@ajax.ca 

Engineering and Transportation

No counter service at Town Hall. 

For Engineering Services - Call: 905-619-2529, ext. 3631 or Email: EngineeringServices@ajax.ca  

For Transportation Services (General) - Call: 905-619-2529, ext. 3631 or Email: traffic@ajax.ca 

For Transportation Services (Active/Sustainable Transportation) - Call: 905-619-2529, ext. 3631 or Email: GetAjaxMoving@ajax.ca 

Engineering Drawing Submissions are being accepted by mail or courier to Town Hall (65 Harwood Ave. S., ON L1S 2H9); by dropping off at Town Hall (mailbox); or by pre-arranged drop-off time with a staff person at Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm).

Sediment and Erosion Control Permit Applications are being accepted by mail or courier to Town Hall (65 Harwood Ave. S., ON L1S 2H9); by dropping off at Town Hall (mailbox); or by pre-arranged drop-off time with a staff person at Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm).  All application forms must be accompanied by a cheque.

Effective Tuesday, March 31^st, Mayor Dave Barton declared a state of emergency in the Township of Uxbridge in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Based on a mutual decision by Municipal staff and Council, we have declared a state of emergency to continue to be agile and responsive to the COVID-19 crisis. While our community has not been adversely impacted at this time we are taking stock of future needs. By declaring an Emergency, it enables the Township to reduce the time between making a decision and acting on it, and provides an avenue to work more seamlessly between private enterprise, the health care system, and all levels of government.”

The Township had previously granted emergency decision making powers to the Mayor and CAO without requiring a declaration of emergency. The decision to move to a State of Emergency was not taken lightly. The move means that the Township will operate under the legal authority established in the Emergency Plan. CAO Kristi Honey will lead the Township Emergency Operations team and Chief Phil Alexander from the Fire Department is the Community Emergency Management Coordinator. Council will be consulted regularly as events unfold.

“I see this declaration as having two benefits”, says Mayor Barton. “The first is that it underscores the seriousness of the situation and reinforces the need for everyone to continue to isolate to prevent the spread of illness. The second benefit is that it will provide administrative tools to enable the Township to quickly respond to emerging situations as needed to support our community.”

Stay informed about continuing developments in the Township of Uxbridge related to the COVID-19 pandemic at Uxbridge.ca.

Clarington April 1, 2020 -  The Municipality of Clarington has declared a local state of emergency as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our message to residents: stay home, maintain physical distancing, do your part to protect your family, friends, neighbours and the community.

“The health and safety of our residents is our number one priority. As we enter week three of the crisis, we cannot let our guard down. We continue to see residents ignoring physical distancing. This is no longer an ask—you must comply with physical distancing; it’s the only way to flatten the curve and stop this virus in its tracks,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.

Along with the local emergency declaration, Clarington is extending the closure of its buildings and facilities indefinitely.

Clarington’s declaration comes just days after the Province extended its emergency declaration on March 30. In that declaration, Ontario enacted several emergency measures closing all non-essential workplaces, prohibiting social gatherings of more than five people, and closing all outdoor recreational amenities, sports fields and playgrounds.

Clarington is working with Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) on enforcement. People caught violating any emergency measure could face fines ranging from $750 to $100,000 depending on the severity of the infraction. Residents can report violations to DRPS at www.drps.ca under Online Services - Community Concerns or by calling 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5802.

“We are working alongside the Region and the Province to protect our community. The decision to declare a local emergency was not made lightly. Clarington continues to follow public health guidelines,” said Clarington Fire Chief Gord Weir.

In making this decision, the Municipality followed guidelines set out in the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. When declaring an emergency, the Municipality assesses a situation based on a list of key criteria focused on whether the event poses a risk to life, a strain on essential services and a threat to social order.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a global emergency. We are facing an invisible enemy. If we don’t practise physical distancing, we are risking an increase in COVID-19 cases among our residents and prolonging this crisis. We are in this together, and if we make the right choices, we’ll get through it together,” added Mayor Foster.

In light of COVID-19 and new Ministry of Labour health and safety guidelines, the Ontario Home Builders' Association has released an employer information sheet to provide members with a list of key reporting and health and safety obligations under the MOL guidelines.  Within this document is an employee intake information sheet to help track individuals coming onto sites.

Download the Employer Information Sheet

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is giving workers in the construction sector an extra year to renew their training if they work at heights.

The mandatory training of more than 120,000 workers was due to expire over the next six months.  However, many training providers have either cancelled classes or shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The extension will apply to workers who successfully completed their working-at-heights training between February 28 and August 31, 2017.  The validity period, normally three years, would have ended this year.  It will now end in 2021.

The extension will ensure affected workers can continue to work when possible.  Construction will move ahead without interruption.

More information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/training-working-heights

Evictions

In response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, no new eviction orders will be issued until further notice and sheriff's offices will postpone any scheduled enforcement of current eviction orders.  Tenants must pay rent while an eviction order is not being enforced.

How the eviction process works

The typical evictions process is explained below.  Changes due to COVID-19 are in italics.

If the landlord gives a tenant notice to end the tenancy, the tenant does not have to move out.  The landlord must apply for an eviction order from the Landlord and Tenant Board (also known as "the Board").  The tenant has the right to go to a hearing and explain why they should not be evicted.

1. Notice: In most cases, the first step is for the landlord to give the tenant a notice in writing that they want the tenant to move out.  Landlords must use an official notice from the Board.  Sometimes a tenant can prevent the tenancy from ending by stopping the behaviour referred to in the notice, or by doing what the notice requests.  This is called a tenant's remedy.  The notice explains what this is and gives a deadline for the tenant to comply.

COVID-19 Update:  Landlords can still give eviction notices, however, landlords are encouraged to work with tenants to establish fair arrangements to keep tenants in their homes, including deferring rent or other payment arrangements.

2. Application: If the tenant does not remedy the situation or move out, the landlord can file an application to the Board to end the tenancy.  Most applications must be made within 30 days for the termination date set out in the notice.  However, there is no deadline to apply to end a tenancy for non-payment of rent.

COVID-19 Update: Landlord and Tenant Board counter services are closed, but the most common types of applications can still be filed online.

3. Hearing: In most cases, the Board will schedule a hearing to decide the landlord's application.  It will mail a Notice of Hearing to the landlord(s) and tenant(s) along with a copy of the application.

COVID-19 Update: All hearings related to eviction applications are suspended until further notice, except for urgent disputes such as those involving illegal acts or serious safety concerns.

4. Order: A Board member will make a decision about the landlord's application to end the tenancy and whether the tenant should be evicted or not.  The member's decision is always put in writing.  This written decision is called an order.  The Board will mail a copy of the order to both the landlord and the tenant.

COVID-19 Update: No new eviction orders will be issued until further notice, unless the matter relates to an urgent issue such as an illegal act or serious safety concerns.

5. Enforcement:  If a tenant doesn't leave the rental unit by the termination date in the eviction order, a landlord cannot personally enforce the order (remove a tenant from a rental unit or change the locks). An eviction order can only be enforced by the Court Enforcement Office (also known as the "Sheriff's Office").  The landlord must file a copy of the Board order with the Sheriff's Office to have the order enforced.

COVID-19 Update: Enforcement of residential eviction orders is suspended until further notice.  By order of the Superior Court of Justice, enforcement of eviction orders is suspended during the suspension of regular court operations, unless the court orders otherwise.

Entering a rental unit and physical distancing

A landlord can only enter a tenant's unit in specific circumstances.  In most cases, the landlord must:

• give the tenant 24 hours written notice
• state what day and time they will enter (between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.)
• state the reason for entering the unit

There are some exceptions to this requirement, for example, in case of emergency.  If the landlord has a valid reason for entering the unit, a tenant cannot refuse to let the landlord in.

COVID-19 Update: During this unusual time, patience and understanding from landlords and tenants is necessary to help stop the spread of COVID-19.  Landlords are encouraged to request entry only in urgent situations and to follow physical distancing guidelines.

Landlords who are selling tenant-occupied homes are strongly advised to follow the guidance of the Real Estate Council of Ontario and avoid in-person showings.  Landlords are subject to the Human Rights Code  and have a duty to accommodate tenants under protected grounds, including people with disabilities.  For example, conducting an in-person showing when a tenant has an immune-compromising condition could lead to a complaint under the Code.

People are encouraged to work together to protect the health and safety of tenants, landlords and the public at large.

Rent

Tenants who can pay their rent must do so, to the best of their abilities.  Landlords are entitled to collect compensation from a tenant for each day that an eviction order is not enforced.  However, tenants who are asked to self-isolate or who can't work may have difficulty paying their rent.

Landlords and tenants are encouraged landlords and tenants to work together during this difficult time to establish fair arrangements to keep tenants in their homes.

Tenants who are having challenges paying rent should speak with their landlords about possible deferring their rent or other payment arrangements.

Assistance for tenants

If you need financial help, you can:

• contact your local service manager
• apply for COVID-19 emergency assistance
• access federal government programs

Assistance for landlords

Landlords may wish to:

• talk to their municipality about help with property taxes and municipal service fees
• inquire with their mortgage lender about mortgage payment deferrals 
• investigate federal government programs 

Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/renting-changes-during-covid-19

TORONTO — Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, issued the following statement today regarding health and safety on construction sites:

"The health and safety of construction workers is a top priority for our government. With the COVID-19 situation changing day by day, we are working to ensure that workers have the tools they need to help keep job sites safe. We must do everything possible to fight the spread of this disease.

Today, Ontario's Chief Prevention Officer announced updated guidance to help employers better understand their responsibilities and what is needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the job site.

The update follows an initial guidance document circulated on March 20, 2020, and addresses sector topics including:

• providing better on-site sanitation, including a focus on high-touch areas like site trailers, door handles and hoists
• communicating roles, responsibilities, and health & safety policies, by, for example, posting site sanitization schedules and work schedules
• enabling greater distances between workers by staggering shifts, restricting site numbers and limiting elevator usage
• protecting public health, by tracking and monitoring workers

Under Ontario law, employers must take every reasonable precaution to keep workers safe. Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. If health and safety concerns are not resolved internally, a worker can seek enforcement by filing a complaint with the ministry's Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008.

Ministry inspectors are inspecting job sites today and every day. Employers and constructors should know: failure to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations could result in a stop work order.

Keeping job sites open during the current pandemic requires a heightened focus on health and safety.

We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19."

Additional Resources:

• Read the Chief Prevention Officer’s guidance to the construction sector on health and safety related to COVID-19.
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

At his daily press briefing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that the federal government will be increasing the federal wage subsidy for small and medium-sized businesses impacted by COVID-19 to 75 per cent and that the wage subsidy will be backdated to March 15, 2020.

Last week, Trudeau announced a 10 per cent wage subsidy, but said today that it's not enough.

"It's becoming clear that we need to do more - much more - so we're bringing that percentage up to 75 per cent for qualifying businesses," said Trudeau.  "This means people will continue to be paid even though their employers have to slow down or stop their businesses."

Trudeau said that more details are expected to be released on Monday.

"We are helping companies keep people on payroll so that workers are supported and the economy is positioned to recover from this," Trudeau said.  "That is our priority."

The Government of Canada is making additional investments to support Canadian businesses from the economic impacts of COVID-19. These new investments provide support to financial institutions and allow them to quickly provide credit and liquidity options for a range of businesses.

These measures are a part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which provides direct support and tax deferrals to Canadian workers and businesses to help them in these difficult times.

Deferral of Sales Tax Remittance and Customs Duty Payments

Deferral of Customs Duty and Sales Tax for Importers

New Loan Programs for Businesses

Canada Revenue Agency’s Additional Measures for Individuals and Businesses

Deferral of Sales Tax Remittance and Customs Duty Payments

In order to provide support for Canadian businesses during these unprecedented economic times, the Government is deferring Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) remittances and customs duty payments to June 30, 2020.

This measure could provide up to $30 billion in cash flow or liquidity assistance for Canadian businesses and self-employed individuals over the next three months

GST/HST Remittance Deferral

The GST/HST applies to sales of most goods and services in Canada and at each stage of the supply chain. Vendors must collect the GST/HST and remit it (net of input tax credits) with their GST/HST return for each reporting period.

Vendors with annual sales of more than $6 million remit and report monthly, and those with annual sales of $1.5 million to $6 million are able to remit and report on a quarterly basis (or monthly if they choose to). Small vendors can report annually.

The GST/HST amounts collected are generally due by the end of the month following the vendor’s reporting period: e.g., for a monthly filer, the GST/HST amounts collected on its February sales are due by the end of March.

To support Canadian businesses in the current extraordinary circumstances, the Minister of National Revenue will extend until June 30, 2020 the time that:

• Monthly filers have to remit amounts collected for the February, March and April 2020 reporting periods;
• Quarterly filers have to remit amounts collected for the January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020 reporting period; and
• Annual filers, whose GST/HST return or instalment are due in March, April or May 2020, have to remit amounts collected and owing for their previous fiscal year and instalments of GST/HST in respect of the filer’s current fiscal year. 

Businesses in need of information about their particular obligations may contact the Canada Revenue Agency or refer to its website.

Deferral of Customs Duty and Sales Tax for Importers

Imported goods by businesses are generally subject to the GST, at a rate of 5 per cent, as well as applicable customs duties, which vary by product and country of origin. While the vast majority of imports enter Canada duty-free, some tariffs remain, especially on consumer goods.

The Customs Act, for which the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness is responsible and which is administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), governs the levying and payment of customs duties in Canada.

Typically, payments owing for customs duties and the GST on imports are due before the first day of the month following the month in which the Statements of Accounts are issued.

Section 33.7(1) of the Customs Act allows the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness or an officer designated by the President of the CBSA to extend, in writing, the timeline for accounting or payment of amounts owing.

Under this authority, payment deadlines for statements of accounts for March, April, and May are being deferred to June 30, 2020.

Businesses in need of information about their particular accounting and payment obligations on imported goods may contact the Canada Border Services Agency for more details.

New Loan Programs for Businesses

Canada Emergency Business Account

To ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need to see them through the current challenges, the Government of Canada is announcing the launch of the new Canada Emergency Business Account, which will be implemented by eligible financial institutions in cooperation with Export Development Canada (EDC).

This $25 billion program will provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus.

This will better position them to quickly return to providing services to their communities and creating employment.

Small businesses and not-for-profits should contact their financial institution to apply for these loans.

To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $50,000 to $1 million in total payroll in 2019. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000).

A New Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium Enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19. To support their operations, EDC will guarantee new operating credit and cash flow term loans that financial institutions extend to SMEs, up to $6.25 million.

The program cap for this new loan program will be a total of $20 billion for export sector and domestic companies.

A New Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium Enterprises

To provide additional liquidity support for Canadian businesses, the Co-Lending Program will bring the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) together with financial institutions to co-lend term loans to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements.

Eligible businesses may obtain incremental credit amounts up to $6.25 million BDC’s portion of this program is up to $5 million maximum per loan. Eligible financial institutions will conduct the underwriting and manage the interface with their customers. The potential for lending for this program will be $20 billion.

Canada Revenue Agency’s Additional Measures for Individuals and Businesses

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) understands that individuals and businesses might be dealing with difficulties filing their income and benefit returns, and could experience cash-flow challenges in the coming months. In response, the CRA will be applying these additional measures:

Administrative tax measures

In addition to the income tax filing and payment deadline extensions, unless otherwise noted, administrative income tax actions required of taxpayers by the CRA that are due after March 18, 2020, can be deferred to June 1, 2020. These administrative income tax actions include returns, elections, designations and information requests. Payroll deductions payments and all related activities are excluded.

Trusts, Partnerships and NR4 Information Returns

The deadlines for trusts, partnership and NR4 information returns are all extended to May 1, 2020. This is due to administrative requirements in advance of the June 1, 2020 deadline for filing individual income tax and benefit returns.

Objections

Any objections related to Canadians' entitlement to benefits and credits have been identified as a critical service and will continue to be processed during the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, there should not be any delays associated with the processing of these objections.

With respect to objections related to other tax matters filed by individuals and businesses, the CRA is currently holding these accounts in abeyance. No collection action will be taken with respect to these accounts during this period of time.

Extending the deadline for filing an objection

For any objection request due March 18 or later, the deadline is effectively extended until June 30, 2020.

Canada Pension Plan/Employment Insurance (CPP/EI) appeals to the Minister

In cases where taxpayers wish to file an appeal in relation to CPP/EI rulings decision, they are encouraged to do so through MyAccount to avoid potential delays.

The CPP/EI appeals program is currently only actioning appeals that are related to cases where EI benefits are pending. These cases will be treated on a priority basis. All other appeals will be actioned when normal services resume. 

In addition, the CPP/EI Appeals to the Minister program will exercise discretion on a case by case basis when additional time is required to respond to a request.

Deadlines for charities

CRA is extending the filing deadline to December 31, 2020, for all charities with a Form T3010, Registered Charity Information Return due between March 18, 2020 and December 31, 2020. This will allow charities more time to complete and submit their T3010.

Suspending audit activities

CRA will not initiate contact with taxpayers for audits, with certain exceptions, This includes:

• no new audits being launched, and
• no requests for information related to existing audits.

No audits should be finalized and no reassessments should be issued.

Suspending collections on new debt

Collections activities on new debts will be suspended until further notice, and flexible payment arrangements will be available.

Payment arrangements are also available on a case-by-case basis if you can’t pay your taxes, child and family benefit overpayments, Canada Student Loans, or other government program overpayments in full.

If you have concerns and require contact with a Collections Officer, please contact our toll free number 1-800-675-6184 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. your local time.

Requirement to pay (RTP)

Banks and employers do not need to comply or remit on existing RTPs during this time.

Taxpayer relief requests

Taxpayers who are unable to file a return or make a payment by the tax-filing and payment deadlines because of COVID-19 can request the cancellation of penalty and interest charged to their account. Penalties and interest will not be charged if the new deadlines that the government has announced to tax-filing and payments are met. For more information about deadlines, see Helping Canadians with the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

For more information about taxpayer relief and how to make a request to the CRA to have interest and/or penalties cancelled, please go to Canada.ca/taxpayer-relief. 

For more information, visit Helping Canadians with the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.