COVID-19: appearance before the Standing Committee (November 4, 2020)

ECCC COVID-19

Issue

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on ECCC operations and what have you done to prepare the workplace for the safe return of employees? How much has it cost?

Points to register

Background/current status

As part of return to work planning efforts, ECCC considers opportunities for accommodating flexible workplace options, and new strategies for ensuring employee health and wellbeing throughout the process of reintegration.

For ECCC employees that are already accessing the workplace, measures are in place to ensure their health and safety.

As more and more employees are planning to reintegrate the workplace, maximum occupancy by building and floor have been determined based on criteria such as OHS regulations, National Building Code requirements and physical distancing measures.

Only a subset of ECCC employees are expected to return to the workplace. To ensure the health and safety of ECCC employees, occupancy will be managed via the mandatory use of a booking app that is currently being tested and expected to go into production in the next few weeks. The planning and preparation for the eventual and gradual return to our work sites has been well underway since the beginning of summer.

This preparation has included the various branches working together to ensure consistent application of COVID-19 prevention measures in consultation with our various bargaining agents and occupational health and safety (OHS) committees throughout the department.

ECCC also installed TBS approved signage and floor markers throughout our buildings to support staff with physical distancing. To further promote health and safety, we have implemented measures that are in-line with guidance from health authorities and central agencies including enhanced cleaning measures, hand cleaning and disinfections stations and training for all employees working on site.

ECCC is limiting the number of employees on every floor of every worksite, in order to ensure that physical distancing can be maintained according to building capacity. All buildings, occupancy is considerate of building specific factors as well as broadly applicable criteria such as OHS regulations, National Building Code requirements and physical distancing measures.

Up to 96% of the workforce is operational despite challenges related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 related impacts on Parks Canada’s revenues

Issue

Points to register

Background / current status

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