Question Period Note: Federal construction work

On May 11, 2020 commercial construction re-opened in the province of Quebec, and on Thursday, May 14, 2020, the Government of Ontario communicated that all construction work could resume effective May 19, 2020.

• The health and safety of Canadians is our top priority as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • On May 11, 2020 and May 19, 2020, commercial construction re-opened in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario respectively, enabling federal construction projects to recommence in alignment with measures prescribed by public health authorities
  • We continue to work with our industry partners, and the provinces and territories, to ensure that strict health and safety protocols, including appropriate physical distancing and face covering protocols, are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on our worksites

If pressed on the Parliamentary Precinct:

• Construction activities continue on the Centre Block and the East Block but are limited to activities undertaken in unoccupied spaces. Necessary repair and maintenance work required for the safe operations of parliamentary facilities continues
• These projects are aligned with the Government of Ontario’s direction, and we have put in place industry-leading health and safety protocols to ensure appropriate physical distancing and compartmentalization of the construction site
• As the province moves towards opening the economy, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) will assess the re-opening of construction projects in close collaboration with Parliament

If pressed on the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) request to support industry:

• The Government of Canada will continue its ongoing collaboration with CCA in key areas as we navigate the reality created by the COVID-19 pandemic

PSPC officials have been actively participating in discussions with the industry. We will continue our work to ensure the health and safety of construction employees and to continue those projects that can meet the protocols established under provincial authorities

PSPC continues to monitor the situation to ensure that any decision regarding construction sites respects the advice of public health officials and aligns with the CCA’s standardized COVID-19 protocols for all Canadian construction sites and respective provincial and territorial government direction.

The CCA has voiced their support for keeping federal construction sites open and its workforce employed on project sites that can meet a high standard of health and safety measures and that involve defence, security, infrastructure and the administration of justice and government. Federal unions (e.g., the Unionized Building & Construction Trades Council) wrote to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement directly expressing their gratitude for maintaining jobs by keeping the Parliament Hill site open specifically, noting that it is among the safest in the country.

Projects not aligned with the revised Province of Ontario directives have paused construction work. The 85 demobilized projects are in 3 primary categories:

• Interior fit-ups (e.g. office fit-ups in Parliamentary administrative leased space at 50 O’Connor and retail and operational space fit-up in the Wellington building)
• Interior improvements (e.g. drywall repairs and patchwork in the East Block, ceiling and radiator repairs in the Confederation building, and marble stone repairs in the Sir John A. Macdonald building)
• Exterior repairs (e.g. window seal repairs to the Justice building, window replacement and repairs to the Confederation building, masonry maintenance on the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council and National Press building exterior envelope)

None