Monday February 8, 2021 – West End Home Builders’ Association (WE HBA) and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) applaud the Ontario government’s decision to remove the construction permitting restrictions and the prohibition on starting new renovations that were part of the emergency orders that came into effect on January 13. The changes announced today, which will take effect on Feb. 10 at 12:01 a.m., mean that as the province transitions back to the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open, all residential construction, including renovations, and related support activities may resume on February 10 with strict COVID-19 measures in place.

This will enable the industry to meet the housing, commercial and renovation needs of the Hamilton and Halton community, while continuing to protect workers’ health and well-being.

“The health and well-being of workers and residents continues to be our top priority,” said Mike Collins-Williams, WE HBA CEO. “Our members look forward to ensuring a healthy supply of new and renovated homes allowing workers to provide for their families and making our contribution to the economy under strict health and safety protocols.” Mike Collins-Williams, CEO, WE HBA.

Health and safety are always priorities on construction work sites. During COVID-19, the industry has adopted very strict enhanced measures that meet or exceed the requirements outlined by the provincial government. Construction continues to be a low-risk activity compared to other sectors.

“Our industry continues to implement the Ministry of Labour’s guidelines on construction site health and safety during COVID-19,” said Joe Vaccaro, OHBA CEO. “Keeping colleagues, employees, and homeowners safe needs to continue to be the priority, and that includes Ministry of Labour inspections and, if necessary, closing any site that doesn’t meet or exceed these requirements. We need to keep each other safe as we continue deliver keys to homeowners.”

About West End HBA: Since 1942, the West End Home Builders’ Association (WE HBA) has been the voice of the local residential construction industry. WE HBA provides an effective voice for the land development, home building and renovation industries, as well as for new home buyers. WE HBA is actively engaged in working to ensure its members’ interests are represented at all three levels of government and advocates on behalf of consumers for choice, affordability, and sufficient supply.

Press Contact

Elena Balaska, Manager of Membership & Communications, elena@westendhba.ca | (289) 208 1442