This is an update to the notices dated March 17, 2020, March 30, 2020 and April 8, 2020.
On January 13, 2021 the Province updated the List of Essential Workplaces, which came into effect on 12:01 AM January 14, 2021. Below is an excerpt from the list.
Construction
43. Construction activities or projects and related services, including land surveying and demolition services, that,
(a) 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;
(b) ensure safe and reliable operations of, or provide new capacity in, provincial infrastructure, including the transit, transportation, resource, energy and justice sectors beyond day-to-day maintenance;
(c) 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;
(d) support the operations of, or provide new capacity in, schools, colleges, universities, municipal infrastructure or child care centres within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014;
(e) are required for,
(i) the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,
(ii) significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work commenced before January 12, 2021, or
(iii) 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-19 pandemic;
(f) would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages or agricultural products;
(g) were commenced before January 12, 2021 and that would,
(i) provide additional capacity for businesses that provide logistical support, distribution services, warehousing, storage or shipping and delivery services, or
(ii) provide additional capacity in the operation and delivery of Information Technology (IT) services or telecommunications services;
(h) support the operations of broadband internet and cellular technologies and services;
(i) are related to residential construction projects where,
(i) a building permit has been granted for a single family, semi-detached and townhomes,
(ii) the project is a condominium, mixed-use or other residential building, or
(iii) the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work that was started before January 12, 2021;
(j) prepare a site for an institutional, commercial, industrial or residential development, including any necessary excavation, grading, roads or utilities infrastructure;
(k) are necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused, or that are not active, to ensure ongoing public safety;
(l) are funded in whole or in part by the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program;
(m) are,
(a) intended to provide shelter or supports for vulnerable persons or affordable housing; and
(b) being funded in whole or in paid by, or are being undertaken by,
(A) the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,
(B) an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,
(C) a municipality, 5 6
(D) a service manager as defined the Housing Services Act, 2011, or
(E) a registered charity within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), or
(F) a not-for-profit corporation.
Quinte West will continue to accept and process permit applications, however the construction work must not commence until such time as the Province lifts or modifies the restrictions on construction. Continuation of construction work on issued building permits issued must stop unless specifically exempt.
The precautions outlined in the March 17, 2020, March 30, 2020 and April 8, 2021 notices continue to apply.
The City of Quinte West is taking precautions regarding the developing situation with COVID-19 and taking further steps to protect staff, residents and businesses as it relates to building inspections.
Effective Thursday January 14, 2021 until further notice, City Hall is closed to the public.
Building Inspectors will continue to provide site inspections. During this time the City is unable to guarantee that normal processing and inspection timelines will be met.
At the building inspectors’ individual discretion, they may not be entering occupied areas of buildings under construction including personal dwellings or occupied areas of industrial, commercial, multi-residential and institutional buildings. Inspection staff may ask you to answer brief non-intrusive screening questions related to the COVID-19 health risks, and practice social distancing. These steps are being taken both to protect the residents of those facilities, as well as our staff from unnecessary exposure. Please understand this is for the protection and peace of mind of our staff who will be serving you and other members of the public.
Building inspections are to be booked through the City’s inspection booking email building@quintewest.ca as per normal.
While City Hall is closed to the public, Building Permit applications may be dropped off at City Hall by prior arrangement. Arrangements are to be made through the booking email building@quintewest.ca; you will be provided with a time for drop off and a member of the building staff will meet you.
If you have any questions or concerns you may contact me by phone or email at the above-listed contacts.