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The global COVID-19 pandemic is having far reaching effects in Toronto, including major impacts to what have been booming real estate and building industries. Many jobs and events are currently suspended, postponed, or affected in other ways, though UrbanToronto is still operating at full strength with our team working remotely. As a means to keep the public in the loop about the shutdowns, we'll be sharing information and status updates from around the industry on a daily basis.
In today's report; Ontario Government is temporarily shutting down some construction sites; Mayor John Tory signs an emergency order regulating physical distancing in City of Toronto parks and public squares; year-over-year GTA home sales increase despite pandemic; and more news from the COVID-19 front.
Government notices and announcements:
Ontario Extends Business Closures to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 - for two weeks, starting at 11:59 PM on April 4, 2020, and it includes most types of construction sites. There are exemptions however, and they are;
• Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.
• Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, critical provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.
• Critical industrial construction activities required for;
- the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,
- significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work has already commenced,
- industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance, and/or enhancement of Personal Protective Equipment, medical devices (such as ventilators), and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Residential construction projects where,
- a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes
- an above grade structural permit has been granted for condominiums, mixed use and other buildings, or
- the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before April 4, 2020.
- Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active and to ensure ongoing public safety.
LPAT settlement hearings (PDF download)
LPAT notice to stakeholders (PDF download)
Mayor Tory signs emergency order encouraging physical distancing in parks and public squares
Federal Community Housing Initiative delayed
2020 National Housing Conference postponed
Update on Vaughan City Services during COVID-19
Private sector/other notices and announcements:
TRREB Releases Resale Housing Market Statistics
Mortgage Deferrals in Canada Reach Half a Million
FSRA Issues Update on Mortgage Administrator Invoicing
HDI Provides Business Update Regarding COVID-19
Everyone from construction workers to brokers to real estate executives are encouraged to share tips on what work and events have stopped, what is proceeding, and how their businesses are being affected by the various shutdowns.
You can share information by emailing us, or by posting in our dedicated Forum thread for industry tips.
