GDHBA Supports Ontario Government Decision to Expand Construction Activity to Meet Ontario’s Housing Needs
Press Release – May 1, 2020 – Home Builders’ Association Supports Ontario Government Decision to Expand Construction Activity to Meet Ontario’s Housing Needs
City of Guelph, May 1, 2020 — The Guelph & District Home Builders’ Association (GDHBA) and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) welcome the Government of Ontario’s decision today to expand the list of allowable construction activities under the COVID-19 Emergency Orders. The resumption of more normal construction activities will allow the industry to meet the housing needs of the City of Guelph and Ontario.
“Building new homes and communities is a long complicated process and requires different construction activities over a number of seasons” said GDHBA President, Tom McLaughlin “Losing the entire construction season for site servicing would set our local housing supply back, and risk the homes that our clients are looking to move into next year. Under the new provincial guidelines, we will continue to deliver homes safely today and in the future. “
Today’s decision to resume earthworks or site grading makes sense as every operator is in their own machine, therefore ensuring physical distancing. Site grading is vital to every construction site as it must be completed before all other construction activity can start.
In addition, the decision allows for site and land-servicing projects to commence or continue new residential, industrial, commercial and institutional developments. Underground servicing, the installation of storm water controls, water pipes, sanitary sewer pipes, road construction, including curbs and sidewalk, landscape works, trails, parks and utilities (telecommunications, water, gas, electricity, etc.) are necessary for the activation of new homes and eventual occupancy.
Work must be carried out in compliance with the Ministry of Labour’s Guidelines for Construction site Health and Safety during COVID-19 and the industry supports shuttering any site that does not meet these necessary requirements.
“We all want safe jobsites,” said Joe Vaccaro, OHBA CEO. “Adding these new construction activities along with new provincial COVID-19 health and safety guidelines means members will continue to focus on worker safety while delivering keys to the thousands of families waiting for their homes to be completed. We can keep each other safe while delivering housing supply across Ontario.”
The Guelph & District Home Builders’ Association (GDHBA) is the voice for the residential construction industry in the Guelph and Wellington County area. We represent members from a wide range of businesses, including home builders, renovators, trade contractors, product suppliers, service professionals, realtors, financial specialists, and more. GDHBA strives to improve new housing affordability and choice for new home purchasers and renovation consumers by positively impacting legislation, regulation, and policy that affect the industry.
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association is the voice of the residential construction industry in Ontario, representing 4,000 member companies organized into 27 local associations across the province. The residential construction industry contributes over $51 billion dollars to Ontario’s economy, employing more than 330,000 people across the province.
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For additional information or to schedule an interview with GDHBA President, Tom McLaughlin, contact Melissa Jonker, GDHBA Executive Officer at mjonker@gdhba.com, and to schedule an interview with OHBA’s CEO Joe Vaccaro, contact Leah Sisnett, OHBA Communications, at (416) 525-8071.
