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March 20, 2020

Please see below an update from Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Hello,

On March 19^th, the following messages addressed to suppliers were posted on Buyandsell.gc.ca concerning Government of Canada procurement activities during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Message to Contractors of the Government of Canada during COVID-19
• Advisory Notice – Procurement Impacts During the Combat of COVID-19

We invite you to visit these web pages for full details.

Thank you.

Reminder: Stay informed about tenders, website updates and procurement news by subscribing to the Email notification service.

March 20, 2020

Dear Premier McNeil,

We would like to bring forward the following considerations as our government contemplates public health, economic and civil policy decisions, specifically relating to the construction industry. The Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) recommends measures for the continuation of construction projects and does not support an industry-wide shutdown for the following reasons:

• Public safety is our priority. There are very real physical, public safety considerations and human resources that must be considered. As an example, some sites will take days, weeks and potentially months to secure and this needs to be considered as policy decisions are made.
• Our industry has an outstanding record for attention to safety and in recognizing the need to ensure the safety of our workforce along with the public. This has been demonstrated through statistical data and continues to improve.
• The pandemic is bringing an economic downturn. Governments lean on stimulus spending to turn things around. Construction is the foundation of any stimulus spending.
• The construction industry is well trained and is very accustomed to dealing with rapidly changing regulations. We have already adapted, and we are exercising social distancing on our sites successfully.
• Any decision regarding the continuation of construction services should be done on a case by case basis and be decided based on whether or not Health Canada recommendations around COVID-19 can be met.
• Construction sites across the sector vary greatly as does the level of risk for any infection. As such, it is important for government to understand, through consultation, the risk levels on a case by case basis.

We are a resource to you as your government contemplates responses to maintaining our public safety and economic stability. To that end we ask that you consider the following points as you make decisions in the coming days and weeks as it pertains to our industry, our role in the economy and our responsibilities as industry leaders:

We would encourage your administration to look at the potential of temporary measures such as:

• Advanced tender releases wherever practical and recognizing the need to maintain safety protocols as theprime consideration
• Economic interventions that assist employer and employee access to credit
• Provide necessary economic assistance where employees are potentially displaced
• Incentives that enable employers to maintain and sustain their workforces
• Bring forward measures that will stabilize and encourage investment in infrastructure and private
• investment in Nova Scotia, particularly addressing the recovery period
• Suspend loan repayment interest and terms
• Ensure that payments are made in the public and private sector and potentially lead this initiative by accelerating payments on TIR projects, etc.
• Move to electronic bond acceptance immediately
• Work with industry to understand the essential services requirements, in any potential move toward restricting construction activities
• Tax, EI, WCB and CPP holidays for at least the next three months for employers and employees

These are our recommendations and considerations at this point. We want to work closely with government to proactively provide leadership in a responsible, responsive and cooperative manner. We also wish to provide an expeditious bilateral communication between government and industry stakeholders, and we look to you to the best way to do this. Nova Scotia’s industries are looking not only for short term relief, but also with an eye to the future to ensure that when this eventually passes, we will be in a position to ensure that the recovery period is as short as is possible.

We look forward to working together in these times of uncertainty.

Sincerely,

Duncan Williams
President & CEO, Construction Association of Nova Scotia

Tuesday, March 24

Clarification: NS Construction sites among services exempt from 5-person limit 

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang issued a Health Protection Act Order on Monday, March 23, 2020, that helps to clarify the government’s measures and limits on gatherings.

Effective March 23, 2020, at 6:00 a.m., all persons residing in or present in the Province of Nova Scotia who:

3.1. enter Nova Scotia; or

3.2. are identified as a close contact of a person who has or has been diagnosed with COVID-19; or

3.3. are identified as a person diagnosed with COVID-19; or

3.4. have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting the results of their test

must:

(a.) Remain in self-quarantine or self- isolation, as the case may be, for: (i) the period commencing on the day you enter Nova Scotia if you have crossed the border into Nova Scotia as per 3.1, or (ii) the first day of close contact, or first day of symptoms, testing, or diagnosis as per 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.

and continuing thereafter for 14 consecutive calendar days or as directed by a medical officer of health

At this time, the construction sector is still considered an essential service and remains exempt from self-isolation requirements under clause 2. Regardless of exemptions, “ALL persons present and residing in Nova Scotia must maintain social distancing of two metres or six feet and keep social gatherings to 5 persons or less.”

We’ve included some key sections related to exemptions below, but those looking to read the full order can click here.

2. Workers who are essential to the movement of people and goods are exempt from the requirement to self-isolate or self-quarantine set out in clause 3.1.

3. Workers exempt under clause 2 must practice social distancing of two metres or six feet to the best of their ability, closely self-monitor, and must self-isolate or self-quarantine should they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms (onset of cough, fever, or shortness of breath).

4. All persons present and residing in Nova Scotia must maintain social distancing of two metres or six feet and keep social gatherings to 5 persons or less.

5. Subject to specific closures or limitations directed elsewhere in this Order, all not-for-profit and for-profit businesses and organizations operating or carrying on business in 5 Nova Scotia may continue to operate but must implement social distancing of two metres or six feet.

7. For greater clarity, the 5-person rule referred to in Clause 6 does not apply to:

(a.) businesses and organizations who can maintain social distancing requirements such as grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, construction sites, financial institutions, and agri-food and fish plants. 

(b.) Canadian Blood Services blood collection clinics.

On 22 March, the Province of Nova Scotia declared a state of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency will be in effect for 14 days and may be renewed. The emergency order is valid until noon on 5 April 2020.

clarify gathering limits

UPDATE – 9:00 am: CANS office in Burnside will remain closed for the FULL day on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. CANS Sydney office WILL be open for the morning; however, it will close early at 11:30 am.

6:45 am: Please be advised that due to snow and stormy weather conditions, CANS office will delay opening until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

Keep an eye on this space for further updates!