Federal Prompt Payment for Construction Work Act Now in Force

On December 9, 2023, the Federal Prompt Payment for Construction Work Act (Act) was proclaimed into force. The Act was originally introduced in 2019 as part of the omnibus Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1. As stated in the government’s news release, the Act is designed to address the construction industry’s long-standing concerns around doing…

Ontario Proposes New Requirements on Construction Sites

On March 15, 2023, Ontario announced proposed changes to jobsite requirements in the construction sector. If approved and filed, the proposed regulatory changes would require construction employers to provide safe, private, and clean restroom facilities, including a minimum of one designated washroom for women on every jobsite. The total number of restrooms required across most…

Ontario Launches Tower Crane Health and Safety Consultation

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (Ministry) has launched a Consultation on Improving Health and Safety Requirements relating to Tower Cranes, which aims to update current legislative requirements for the operation of tower cranes. The consultation is focused on the requirements set out in the Construction Project Regulation, O. Reg. 213/91, and O….

Ontario Consults on OHSA Regulations Relating to Notice of Project and Head Protection Requirements

The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (Ministry) is seeking input from interested parties in respect of regulatory proposals to modernize the Notice of Project and worker head protection requirements for workplaces in Ontario that fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Proposed Changes to Notice of Project Requirements The intention…

Ontario Court of Appeal Holds “Owner” of a Construction Project Can Be Considered an “Employer” Under OHSA

A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal has significant implications under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) for owners and employers responsible for construction projects. In Ontario (Labour) v. Sudbury (City), the Court of Appeal held that an “owner” of a construction project can also be considered an “employer” with obligations to…