Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the lights will stay on at a cheaper rate while construction job sites could come down if they don’t follow the rules.
The two issues were the main subjects at a press conference the Premier gave today.
Ford says he’s put the construction industry on notice, saying that Ontario has dozens of labour inspectors at job sites across the province to ensure protocols are in place during the Covid-19 pandemic and that he won’t hesitate to shut sites down if those protocols aren’t being followed.
Overflowing outhouses and hand sanitizers on site are some of the things under scrutiny.
Ford says there are some ‘bad actors’ out there causing problems for the whole construction sector. He says if workers don’t feel safe they can call the ministry of labour and walk off the site if need be.
Electricity rates are coming down for people paying time of use rates, he also announced.
The savings are part of a $160 million investment to make it easier on Ontario families during the crisis.
The off-peak time of use rate of 10.1 cents per kilowatt-hour will be in effect 24 hours a day for the next 45 days.
The new rate will also be in effect for small businesses and farms, said Ford.
Truck drivers in the province too are being helped, added the Premier, with En Route locations open so truckers can refuel, order take -out and get a break.
Ford says public health is the priority above all else.