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including specific situations that had to be Subsequent indications showed an overall
escalated to the Minister of Labour, Training and improvement to jobsite conditions, relatively
Skills Development, the Chief Prevention Officer low numbers of construction worker COVID-
(CPO), and/or local Public Health authorities. 19 infections, and reasonably well-functioning
Participation rates on these calls were very high labour relations. However, along the way, there
and the information-sharing proved critically have been challenges in bringing some jobsites
important to the Building Trades learning from one up to standard, requiring a lot of effort from
another about appropriate courses of action when dedicated union representatives exerting maximum
confronting different situations, and assuaging pressure on employers to comply. The Council’s
Building Trades workers that the union leadership Director of Occupational Services, working with
was listening to and acting on their behalf, and in the Council’s Health and Safety Committee in
the interest of safety. The calls further allowed an consultation with all Building Trades, prepared a
opportunity for trades to be alerted about other “Recommended COVID-19 Safety Protocol and
trades’ infections at particular jobsites, so that they Prevention Measures” document on April 23,
could take responsive action to prevent the spread 2020. This document was widely distributed with
of Coronavirus. the construction industry in Ontario, serving as
28 APRIL 2021 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA
