CRCA sends letter to Prime Minister: Roofing is essential
March 20, 2020
The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0A2
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
As Canada confronts the current public health crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic, the undersigned organizations in the roofing industry write to express our strong concerns with respect to provincial and local regulations governing “essential services/businesses” and “essential workers” during this critical time.
We are aware that provinces and municipalities across Canada are responding to the current crisis by issuing, and frequently revising, emergency orders and/or guidance that may conflict with the goals of containing coronavirus and protecting the health and welfare of our communities. Recent emergency orders and guidance threaten the ability of roofing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and other industry employers to operate and aid in the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Clarity and consistency are needed given the multiple orders from many provincial and local governments, each with different rules. Thus, we recommend your Cabinet issue guidance that clarifies essential businesses, services and workers, and that this guidance recognize the role of the roofing industry in protecting Canadian families and employers.
The Canadian roofing industry, including manufacturers and their raw material suppliers, distributors, and roofing contractors, is an essential billion dollar plus sector, employing hundreds of thousands of employees, that provides critical materials and services to ensure home and business safety. We are integral to the infrastructure that will enable Canada to see through our current times and help our communities rebound quickly. The products we make and install protect hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and other businesses actively providing critical care and resources to thousands of Canadians in need of assistance during this time of crisis, as well as families who are being asked to shelter in place or otherwise take every measure to remain indoors. For example, as the role of hospitals becomes ever more critical in providing the care that our fellow Canadians need at this time, it will be critical that roofing companies are able to quickly fix roof leaks or provide other essential services to keep these buildings operating safely.
As we head into the spring and summer months, it is vital the roofing industry be prepared and well-resourced to quickly respond to the impacts that extreme weather and natural disasters may inflict on homes and buildings. We are employing prudent measures to prevent the spread of infection at facilities, sites and projects, and most roofing work is performed outdoors where open air helps mitigate any risk to employees. We encourage federal, provincial, and local officials to partner with the roofing industry to address the challenges ahead in a comprehensive, coordinated manner.
Also, in view of the current issues of housing shortage we are facing across the country, it appears essential to complete all planned residential projects according to schedule in order to be able to house Canadian families as expected by July 1, 2020.
The roof is the first line of defense against the elements and extreme weather, and there is nothing more important than a sound roof in protecting Canadian families and businesses as they take action to address this crisis and sustain our economy. The undersigned groups look forward to working with your team to provide the guidance needed to fully recognize the valuable role that the roofing industry plays in responding to this crisis. We are all “under one roof” and every Canadian deserves the safety of a sound roof over their heads.
We greatly appreciate your consideration and thank you for your strong leadership during these very difficult times.
Sincerely,
Bob Brunet
Executive Director
Cc:
Jacques Beaulieu, CRCA President and Chairman of the Board
Allied Roofing Inc.
1546 Wall Street
Winnipeg MB R3E 2S4
Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC)
Bryan Wallner
9734 201st Street
Langley BC V1M 3E8
Alberta Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA)
Karen Rutherford
2380 Pegasus Road NE
Calgary AB T2E 8G8
Saskatchewan Roofing Contractors Association (SRCA)
Sharon Thom
2059 Arthur Street
Regina SK S4T 4W9
Roofing Contractors Association of Manitoba (RCAM)
Marnie Laycock
1447 Waverly Street
Winnipeg MB R3T 0P7
Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association ((OIRCA)
Don Marks
940 The East Mall, Suite 301
Etobicoke ON M9B 6J7
Association des maîtres couvreurs du Québec (AMCQ)
Marc Savard
3001, Boul. Tessier
Laval QC H7S 2M1
New Brunswick Roofing Contractors Association (NBRCA)
Ron Hutton
1010 Fairville Blvd.
Saint John NB E2M 5T5
Roofing Contractors Association of Nova Scotia (RCANS)
Juanita MacDonald
3762 Basinview Drive
Halifax NS B3K 4Z9