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News, updates, and so much more…
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| ACCESSING THE WATERWAY DURING THE PROVINCIAL STAY-AT-HOME ORDER |
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Welland, ON – With input from the Provincial Sport Organizations, the City of Welland’s Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG), has approved Affiliate Flatwater Clubs to have limited access to City-owned facilities and with the following guidelines:
· Only recreational boating in singles is allowed, no training is permitted as per Provincial restrictions and no team boating is permitted
· Cold water rules are to be followed
· No more than 5 people are permitted to gather on site at one time
· Only staff are permitted in the buildings to retrieve equipment
· Equipment is to be brought out of the facilities and set up outdoors for participants
· Clubs are to create a launch and return schedule to ensure no cross over of groups of participants
· Face coverings are to be worn when not exercising
Cold water can be dangerous and warm air does not always mean warm water in lakes, streams or canals. Plunging into cold water of any temperature becomes dangerous if you are not prepared for what the sudden exposure can do to your body and brain. Warm air temperatures can create a false sense of security, so if you are planning to be on or near the water, arrive knowing the conditions and how to protect yourself:
· Always dress for water temperature, not for air temperature, examples are
o Wet suit
o Dry suit
o Flexible clothing that protects from loss of heat
For more information, please visit http://www.lifesavingsociety.com/water-safety/cold-water-and-ice.aspx |
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Ontario launches zero-tolerance workplace safety inspections in COVID hotspots
The Ontario government is launching a series of zero-tolerance workplace safety inspections in sectors and regions hardest hit by COVID-19, beginning tomorrow with warehouses, food processors and manufacturers in Peel and Halton Regions.
On Friday April 9th, officers will be checking for compliance with COVID-19 health and safety requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) to ensure appropriate physical distancing, screening, and masking.
There will also be increased inspections and enforcement across the province that will include:
- Enhanced education and outreach to the construction sector, a robust and expanding program for rapid antigen screening for COVID-19 in construction, along with a zero-tolerance approach to enforcement of COVID-19 safety requirements on construction projects.
- Continued risk-based inspections of farms employing temporary foreign workers, including working closely with Service Canada and local public health units to coordinate inspections and share information.
Click here to read more.
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| COVID-19 UPDATE: ONTARIO DECLARES A PROVINCE WIDE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER |
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Welland, ON – With COVID-19 cases rising at an alarming rate, a state of emergency and province-wide stay-at-home order was issued and took effect at 12:01 a.m. April 8. This shutdown puts measures in place that
· are the most stringent to address rapidly escalating conditions, including the spread of variants of concern
· include business closures in higher-risk sectors (for example, fitness activities, personal care service establishments, indoor and outdoor dining)
Following the guidance of the Ontario Regulations, the following city facilities or services have changed operational practices:
· Welland Civic Square, all Welland Fire halls, Public Works Municipal Centre, Welland Community Wellness Complex and Transit Office will be closed until further notice. Staff are available via telephone at 905-735-1700 or email vasb@jryynaq.pn.
· The East Main Street Transit Terminal will remain open to the public.
· Meetings will be virtual, unless otherwise required and will follow safety protocols distributed before the meeting.
· All Welland Parks, Trails, playgrounds, and outdoor recreation spaces remain open for individual recreation and exercise. Social distancing is to be maintained at all times and a maximum of five (5) persons may gather in one area.
· Families accessing playgrounds are encouraged to carry sanitizer and frequently wash their children’s hands
· Gaiser Park Courts will be open for use from dawn to dusk starting April 16
· Marriage ceremonies have been suspended
· The Clerks Office will issue marriage licences, commission documents and provide Roll Book review by appointment only. Please contact 905-735-1700 x 0 or email pyrex@jryynaq.pn for further information.
Staff would like to remind members of the public of the following:
· Restrict close contacts to your household members only and essential supports. Those who live alone may join with another household for support.
· All in-person activities should be limited outside of the home to essential activities only.
· Wear a mask or face covering when around others from another household, out in public places, or outdoors when unable to stay physically distant.
· Wash your hands often.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or are not feeling well, isolate yourself, contact your health care provider for an assessment and/or referral for testing; or contact the Niagara Health COVID-19 assessment centre to book an appointment.
During normal business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM), concerns around enforcement of COVID-19 emergency orders please contact By-Law Enforcement Division at 905-735-1700 Ext. 2224; by email at olynj_rasbep@jryynaq.pn. After 4:30pm, COVID-19 concerns should be directed to the Region of Niagara’s information line at (905) 984-3690 or 1 (877) 552-5579 for further bylaw response and assistance.
How to access services during the Stay-at-Home order please visit welland.ca.
For more information on Ontario’s response to COVID-19, visit ontario.ca.
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4 of 5 Canadians feel safe at work, but many believe workplaces won’t return to normal until 2022: Abacus/Canadian Chamber of Commerce Poll
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce today released the results of a poll examining how Canadians feel about how and where they work during the pandemic. Abacus Data completed the polling for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce by Abacus Data.
Today, slightly more than 1 in 2 Canadians (51 per cent) are still going into the workplace most of the time, with another 12 per cent splitting their time between the workplace and working from home. Only 36 per cent are working from home full time.
Asked when they thought their workplace would return to normal, nearly half of Canadians (45 per cent) did not believe that would occur until 2022.
Click here to read more.
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Niagara Health ramping down, postponing some surgeries starting April 12
Niagara Health is ramping down and postponing some surgical cases beginning on Monday, April 12, amid extreme pressure on critical care capacity across the province. This comes in response to direction from Ontario Health.
All patients scheduled for a surgical procedure will be called directly by their care provider starting today, to confirm whether they are proceeding or having their procedure deferred. Decisions regarding urgency of each case and whether the procedure will be deferred will be made by each patient’s clinical team and will be based on individual circumstances. Patients are encouraged not to call the hospital or their surgeon.
Click here to read more.
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| FIRE PREVENTION SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION |
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Welland, ON – On June 20, 2019, the Welland Fire and Emergency Services (WFES) attended the property 240-242 East Main Street, City of Welland to respond to a fire safety complaint. On their arrival, Fire Prevention Officers (FPOs) found a multi-residential building with seven (7) apartments.
Inspecting the building, FPOs discovered numerous Ontario Fire Code violations, and issued an inspection order to direct the owner(s) to correct the deficiencies. Some of the deficiencies included holes in fire separations, inadequate fire separations between apartments and hallways, and the lack of a fire safety plan. Following the compliance date on the inspection order, FPOs re-attended the property January 20, 2020 to verify compliance to the order. During the inspection it was discovered that the deficiencies were not corrected. Accordingly, a prosecution was initiated against the property owners for failing to comply with an inspection order, pursuant to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA), 1997.
On July 14, 2020, WFES attended the same property for a reported structure fire. On their arrival, firefighters discovered a fire in a second floor apartment, which they extinguished. During the fire investigation, FPOs found six (6) smoke alarms in the building not in operating condition. Due to the egregious nature of these fire safety issues, a further prosecution was initiated against the property owner(s) for contravening the Ontario Fire Code, pursuant to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA), 1997.
On April 8, 2021, the property owners of 240-242 East Main Street City of Welland were convicted in Provincial Offences Court for failing to comply with an inspection order and contravening the Ontario Fire Code, and fined $15,000 plus court costs pursuant to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA), 1997.
The existence of Fire Code deficiencies in a building during a fire incident compounds the risk and dangers to building occupants, and firefighters responding to the building. Fortunately, no injuries occurred at the fire incident. To date, the property has now been brought into compliance with the inspection order.
WFES would like to remind property owners to ensure their properties meet the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code. WFES would also like to remind property owners that compliance with an inspection order is mandatory, and that deficiencies are required to be corrected within the timeframe listed on the order. |
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Stay well,,
Alexis Higginbotham
Executive Director
WDBIA
60 East Main Street
Welland, ON
L3B 3X4
905.736.2884
downtownwelland.ca
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