Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: April 29, 2020

Date: April 29, 2020

Amazon COVID-19 supply distribution deal

Context

On April 1, 2020 the Government of Canada entered into an agreement with Amazon to help manage the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies purchased by the government, to support the COVID-19 response. Amazon is providing these services to Canadians at cost, without profit until Jun 30th.

Suggested response

• The health and safety of Canadians is our top priority, and that means ensuring life-saving medical supplies reach our frontline healthcare providers as quickly as possible
• We have has entered into an agreement with Amazon, who is working closely with Canada Post and Purolator, to help manage the distribution of personal protective equipment and supplies purchased by the federal government
• This agreement will enhance distribution capabilities of the federal government to help ensure that supplies make it into the hands of healthcare workers across the country as quickly as possible

If pressed on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) role:

• The Public Health Agency of Canada will maintain oversight of all orders from provinces and territories to ensure supplies are distributed appropriately

If pressed on Amazon’s role:

• These services are being provided at cost, without profit until June 30th
• Amazon provided an adapted customer interface to effectively track inventory. Amazon’s adapted interface allows provincial and territorial health authorities to request supplies directly

If pressed on Canada Post and Purolator’s role:

• Canada Post is currently handling the warehousing through its subcontractor Maritime Ontario, with Purolator assisting in getting the supplies to the warehouse from airports. Canada Post and Purolator, through their distribution networks, are delivering the supplies across Canada

If pressed the health and safety of workers:

• Our government believes that every Canadian has the right to a safe and healthy workplace
• We fully expect Amazon to follow the guidelines put forward by Canada’s public health organizations and protect their workers during this crisis
• We urge all employers during this critical time to go above and beyond standard health and safety measures to make sure that workers are safe in this extraordinary situation, and accommodate reasonable requests from employees

Background

On April 1, 2020 the Government of Canada signed an agreement with Amazon for its user interface and tracking of the orders, with the distribution of medical equipment such as masks, gloves and gowns being done by Canada Post and Purolator. Canada will pay to Amazon its standard costs without profit until Jun302020. Amazon fees after Jun302020 will be lower than Amazon’s standard commercial fees for the same services.

This agreement will support the distribution of vast quantities of masks, gloves and other equipment purchased by the government to front-line healthcare workers and others in need as quickly as possible.

This contract award is part of the Government of Canada’s whole-of-government response to COVID-19, which includes major investments in PPE for the health sector, as well as research, science and innovation.

Canada Post: Health and safety

Context

Canada Post continues to provide a vital service to Canadians under difficult circumstances, with employees continuing to operate in the field delivering parcels. Canada Post announced on Marc192020 that they are doing everything possible to continue its service while keeping the health and safety of its staff as its number one priority.

Suggested Response

• Canada Post is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, and is taking steps to help keep its employees and the communities it serves safe, while following the guidance of the Public Health Agency of Canada
• We are working closely with Canada Post, and Canada Post is working closely with its unions, in order to ensure employees and the public are protected
• As the situation with the coronavirus evolves, the health and safety of employees and the Canadians they serve takes the highest priority while Canada Post takes steps to continue delivering the service Canadians rely on

If pressed on actions taken by Canada Post:

Canada Post is taking action to protect employees and customers, including

• Enhanced cleaning in all of its facilities and extra personal protective equipment for employees and staggered shifts which minimize everyone arriving at work and having their breaks at the same time. This also allows for enhanced physical distancing in the workplace
• Priority service to those at a higher risk, such as seniors, during the first hour of each day
• Installing signage and floor decals to encourage physical distancing, limiting the number of customers in smaller offices, and installing clear barriers at the counter to increase safety
• Suspending its normal 15-day hold period and asking that customers who are ill or self-isolating delay their visit and pick up their parcel only when it’s safe to do so
• Implemented a new process called Knock, Drop and Go to minimize contact with the delivery agent by eliminating signatures at the door

If pressed on distribution of the Epoch Times:

• The government is aware of concerns expressed regarding the content of the current edition of this publication, and the requests to have Canada Post stop distributing it
• As Minister responsible for Canada Post, I have the authority to prevent the distribution of material through Canada Post if it relates to a criminal offence
• We take these concerns very seriously. We will await further assessment and take appropriate action as required

Background

On March 19, 2020, Canada Post released a letter stating its number one priority is the health and safety of its employees. They encouraged employees who can work from home to do so. However, the majority of its employees are in the field delivering packages.

Canada Post has eliminated the need for customers to sign for parcels at the door to minimize personal contact. It has also suspended normal delivery guarantees for its parcel services as delivering safely without overburdening its employees requires more time.

Canada Post has been experiencing “Christmas level” volumes during this pandemic. For example, on Monday April 20, they delivered more than 1.8 million parcels to Canadians. That is similar to the biggest delivery days during the Christmas season. Canada Post has introduced several measures to encourage physical distancing and limit contact during the COVID‑19 pandemic, including a “Knock, Drop and Go” approach for parcel delivery. This change eliminates the need for signatures at the door, speeds up delivery and has greatly reduced the number of parcels sent to post offices for pickup. Items that require signatures due to proof of age will be required to be picked up at the retail counter in a more controlled environment, where physical distancing can be accommodated.

International competition and export restrictions impacting personal protective equipment procurement

Context

Countries have begun curbing the export of personal protective equipment (PPE), increasing competition for the procurement of these goods. Media has also reported on several instances of medical supplies procured from unfamiliar overseas suppliers not meeting advertised quality standards.

Suggested response

• We are operating in a highly competitive global environment, and international logistics are challenging
• We are working closely with our partners around the world, including embassies, as well as with on the ground logistics expertise in the private sector to get these supplies into the hands of health care workers on the front lines of this crisis
• We are taking a multi-pronged approach by purchasing supplies internationally where possible, while at the same time directly supporting Canadian industry to scale-up and re-tool to build domestic capacity
• Our goal is to be over prepared and we are ordering supplies in anticipation of future needs, to ensure they are available for provinces, territories, frontline health workers and Canadians

If pressed on quality-issues of medical supplies:

• We are working with established suppliers and distributors, as well as quality assurance experts, and we have strong processes in place to help ensure that the supplies we receive meet all necessary standards
• In addition, the Public Health Agency of Canada has robust testing measures in place, and they are in place for the very purpose of ensuring quality control of these essential products before they go out to provinces and territories
• We have encountered situations where supplies were found to be substandard, and we have acted quickly to address these issues, and to ensure that replacement supplies are rolled out where they were needed most
• We must make sure that the equipment that our frontline workers rely on is high quality, so they can stay safe, and keep us safe too

If pressed on international export restrictions:

• Countries have begun implementing export restrictions on the goods critical to combating COVID-19, such as PPE
• This environment has made it increasingly challenging to source and acquire the PPE that Canada needs
• This is why we have been collaborating with provinces and territories on an ongoing basis to identify their needs and establish bulk buys to purchase required equipment, supplies, and services to combat COVID-19

If pressed on a plane departing China without cargo:

• On April 19, one of our chartered cargo flights returned from China to Canada without its intended shipment of federally purchased PPE on board
• The cargo could not be cleared through the handling protocols in time to be loaded. As a result, the intended cargo was not loaded on the plane before its required takeoff time
• Several days after that flight returned, we learned that Air Canada took quick action to load standby shipments belonging to other customers, bringing much needed goods back to Canada
• Air Canada has credited the Government of Canada with the costs they recovered as a result of that transport flight

Background

Global demand for medical supplies remains high for the fight against COVID-19, and competition remains fierce for their delivery. The federal government is procuring materials from a variety of sources, including from overseas suppliers. In addition to federal supply purchases, provinces and cities are also sourcing their own equipment.

Countries have moved to restrict the export of face masks, gloves and other medical supplies critical for front-line workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a more difficult and expensive procurement process. Sixty-eight countries — Canada is not among them — have curbed exports of PPE or medicine. China is the largest supplier of PPE in the world, and global supply was impacted when the country had to shut down its factories earlier this year when the outbreak began. Canada has taken a two-pronged approach to the acquisition of supplies, by scaling up domestic capacity while seeking to acquire PPE internationally.

The federal government has recently hired private firms to provide quality assurance before supplies are shipped to Canada, and the federal public health agency does further checks before distributing goods.

Harrington Lake renovations

Context

The National Capital Commission (NCC) recently released the amount allocated to repair the prime minister’s Harrington Lake summer residence, with investments totalling $8 million. The funding comes after a 2018 report found the residence to be in critical condition, requiring $1million of repairs and renovations. Work has currently been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested response

• The National Capital Commission is an independent Crown corporation and is responsible for year-round maintenance and operations for the six official residences in Canada’s Capital Region
• The NCC recognizes the significance of these official residences and are committed to working with its partners to ensure that issues related to security, heritage preservation, sustainability, and accessibility are addressed
• The NCC’s work at Harrington Lake is part of a broader program to preserve, maintain and restore all official residences under NCC management
• We will continue to support the NCC in its important work

Background

While the main cottage at Harrington Lake is 95 years old, most of the buildings were built between 1850 and 1925. Harrington Lake, the official country residence of the prime minister, is used for both official and private functions, with buildings that can accommodate official business as well as state visits.

Harrington Lake last saw major capital investment during the 1950s (over 60 years ago); the property has not seen any investment since 2005, when the NCC made critical repairs to the roofing, eavestroughs, piping, electrical, mechanical and structural systems of the property.

Given the precarity of its condition, the Harrington Lake property was deemed to be in critical condition in the NCC’s 2018 Official Residences of Canada: Asset Portfolio Condition Report (see pages 38 to 43). At the time, the NCC estimated the capital investment required for rehabilitation of the residence and all its ancillary buildings at $17.8 million.

Of NCC’s $8.6 million investment, $6.1 million is to address critical condition and life cycle requirements of the main cottage, including window replacement/rehabilitation, insulation of walls and attic, chimney repairs, foundation damp proofing and functional improvements.

Constructed in the 1850s, the Harrington Lake farmhouse has been closed since 2008 due to health and safety concerns, and is in need of complete rehabilitation to prevent further deterioration and restore usability. The budget of this ongoing farmhouse rehabilitation work is $2.5 million over 2 years.

Status of defence procurement projects

Context

Due to COVID-19, several defence procurement projects have halted or slowed, including the construction and maintenance of ships.

Suggested response

• Our government is taking strong action to protect our economy, jobs, and the health and safety of Canadians during the global COVID-19 outbreak
• Canada will continue to monitor the situation, analyze potential impacts and explore all possible financial measures available to support the defence and marine industry and protect Canada’s long term national security interests
• We are currently assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of ongoing and future major procurement projects
• We urge all employers during this critical time to follow the recommendations of public health officials, and to go above and beyond standard health and safety measures to make sure that workers are safe in this extraordinary situation

If pressed on the budget, delays and impact:

• Procurements are proceeding as planned, barring any issues faced by industry, which we will examine with companies on a case-by-case basis
• Canada will work through the contractual and financial implications of these circumstances to find resolutions acceptable to both Canada and industry
• We will work with the defence and shipbuilding industry to mitigate any budgetary and schedule impacts of the COVID-19 response
• Given the uncertainties associated with the duration of COVID-19 and related strategies, it is premature to assess the overall schedule impact to projects

If pressed on the third yard:

• Chantier Davie has pre-qualified to become the third strategic partner under the National Shipbuilding Strategy and has moved on to the request for proposal and evaluation stage of the process
• The third yard will build six Program Icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard
• The entire process is being overseen by an independent fairness monitor

If pressed on the Polar Icebreaker:

• The government is exploring procurement options for construction of the Polar Icebreaker. No decisions have been taken
• A request for information was issued to obtain information on domestic shipyard capability and capacity to build a Polar Icebreaker. Canada is currently evaluating responses

If pressed on the Future Fighter Capability Program:

• Canada has requested that all suppliers inform Canada by May 31, 2020 about their intention to submit a proposal
• Canada is actively planning for the upcoming bid evaluation once proposals are received on June 30, 2020

If pressed on ‘excusable delay’ requests:

• In order for Canada to consider a delay excusable, certain factors set out in the contracts must be met, including a requirement for contractors to notify Canada and to submit a work around plan
• Therefore, in the specific context of COVID-19, contractors wishing to submit an excusable delay claim to Canada should review their contracts and proceed in accordance with the requirements they contain
• We encourage industry to review their own specific contract and submit an excusable delay request according to the provisions of their respective contract

Background

In response to COVID-19, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) has suspended all industrial operations, production at Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) remains ongoing and the Province of Quebec has declared Chantier Davie an essential service.

ISI has suspended most industrial operations as of March 20, 2020. The initial 3-week pause has since been extended. The suspension impacts about 1,100 employees, while special measures for working from home or within ISI’s offices have been implemented for remaining employees. Design work for the Canadian Surface Combatant continues through the suspension, along with limited work for the first and second Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships.

Operations at VSY continue but are being closely monitored. White collar workers not in direct support of production are working from home, while other measures being taken include following self-isolation guidelines, additional social distancing measures, cancelling large gatherings and increased cleaning. VSY has been working closely with WorkSafeBC in implementing these practices, and adjusting and escalating actions in response to new regulations and guidance.

On March 24, 2020, in response to COVID-19, the Quebec Government published a list of essential industrial sectors, under which Chantier Davie qualified. Chantier Davie has conducted on-site training for dealing with COVID-19, implemented a set of strict directives, and negotiated with their union to maintain intact squads instead of rotating employees through different teams. Nonetheless the workforce numbers and capacity has diminished to accommodate the social distancing measures implemented.

A number of Canadian defence suppliers have reached out to government officials identifying the need for urgent support, as they are experiencing serious cash flow difficulties resulting from reduced activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic situation. In collaboration with other government organizations and central agencies, Public Services and Procurement Canada is currently exploring measures to support the defence industry.

Procurement of medical supplies

Context

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has been working aggressively with domestic and international suppliers, along with provincial and territorial governments to procure medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Suggested response

• The whole-of-government is focused on responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, and working with partners at all levels of government, and with industry, to secure life-saving medical supplies
• We are taking a two-pronged approach by purchasing supplies internationally where possible, while at the same time directly supporting Canadian industry to rapidly scale-up and re-tool to build domestic production capacity, ensuring a reliable domestic supply to serve our needs for the short and long term
• We stand ready to take further action and adapt our approach as the situation evolves

If pressed on domestic suppliers:

• Industry and suppliers have absolutely stepped up and a dedicated team of procurement specialists are actively assessing responses as they come in
• It is a careful and time-consuming process to assess the viability of each offer, and our dedicated team of procurement specialists are working all-out assessing responses as they come in
• Many of the suppliers who have reached out have led to productive leads for us and we are so thankful for this support. We will continue working through every offer, and pursuing all viable leads

If pressed on provincial and territorial collaboration:

• From the outset we have been working directly with provincial and territorial governments to ensure that we are capturing their needs, and purchasing supplies with a “Team Canada” approach
• I am in regular contact with my provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure that we are working cohesively and collaboratively, and that they are getting the support they need
• Our goal is to be over prepared and we are ordering supplies in anticipation of future needs, to ensure they are available for provinces, territories, frontline health workers and Canadians

If pressed on providing the private sector with PPE:

• Our top priority remains protecting the health and safety of Canadians
• Our government is actively exploring how to best support organizations beyond the healthcare system in accessing PPE supplies to meet the needs of Canadian workers
• Discussions across the federal government and with provinces, territories and partners continue as we work together to inform next steps in the procurement response to COVID-19, including how to best support workers on the frontlines and in essential services

Background

The federal government posted a notice on its Buy and Sell website calling on companies to let it know if they could supply products like N95 masks and surgical masks, nitrile gloves, vinyl gloves, gowns and bottles of hand sanitizer, as well as services ranging from security guards to nurses, food and laundry services and IT support.

This federal effort helps fill provincial and territorial needed. For example, Toronto says it faces a “significant shortfall” in surgical masks and asked the province for help to expedite the order. Ontario is relying on the Government of Canada to help procure protective gear such as masks, gowns, gloves and face shields, as demand for them around the world outpaces supply.

Across Canada governments are trying to ramp up domestic manufacturing to reduce reliance on international supply chains but it is not clear when that will scale up enough to replace or supplement global procurement.

• 7.2 million N95 masks have been delivered to Canada through federal orders (around 156 million on order)
• We have received over 25 million surgical masks (orders total more than 330 million)
• Canada has received nearly 14 million pairs of medical gloves, and in addition to the tens of millions of litres of hand sanitizer that we have ordered so far that are sourced from a number of domestic and international suppliers; Fluid Energy in Alberta will produce over a million litres of hand sanitizer a week
• We have orders in place for millions of medical gowns as well as contracts with Stanfield’s in Truro, Nova Scotia and Canada Goose in Toronto and Winnipeg for millions more
• On top of the ventilator capacity that the provinces already have available to respond to a surge situation, we are ordering thousands more and are working with Canadian companies to produce up to 30,000 made-in-Canada ventilators
• We have ordered test kits to test millions more Canadians over and above the nearly 550,000 Canadians that have already been tested, and we have signed contracts for additional rapid testing capability, including the technology offered by Canada’s Spartan Bioscience

Federal construction work

Context

Construction work continues for critical federal health and safety infrastructure. Work also continues within the Parliamentary Precinct, in line with recommendations and the approach taken by the Ontario government.

Suggested response

• The health and safety of Canadians is our top priority as we respond to the COVID-19 outbreak
• Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has worked directly with industry to develop strict health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on federal construction sites that remain open
• We are also continuing to work with the construction industry to support a strong economic recovery beyond the COVID-19 crisis

If pressed on Parliament Hill construction:

• Within the Parliamentary Precinct, we have significantly reduced the level of construction to align with the Government of Ontario, and to demonstrate leadership in our collective efforts to flatten the curve in alignment with advice of public health officials
• Construction activities have continued on the Centre Block and the East Block, because these projects are aligned with the Government of Ontario’s direction, and they are able to facilitate appropriate social distancing and compartmentalization of the construction site
• The government continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure that any decision regarding construction sites respects the provincial direction and the advice of public health officials

If pressed on the Canadian Construction Association Request to support industry:

• We are evaluating the Canadian Construction Association’s request
• Protecting the health and safety of Canadians, their jobs, and our economy, are our top priorities and we will continue working with our partners across the country to make sure all Canadians have the support they need

Background

PSPC continues to monitor the situation to ensure that any decision regarding construction sites respects the advice of public health officials and aligns with the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) standardized COVID-19 protocols for all Canadian construction sites and respective provincial and territorial government direction.

The CCA has voiced their support for keeping federal construction sites open and its workforce employed on project sites that can meet a high standard of health and safety measures and that involve defence, security, infrastructure and the administration of justice and government. Federal unions (e.g., Unionized Building & Construction Trades Council) have also written to the Minister directly expressing their gratitude for maintaining jobs by keeping the Parliament Hill site open specifically, noting that it is among the safest in the country.

PSPC has taken steps to significantly reduce construction activities in the Parliamentary Precinct as a result of the announcement by the Government of Ontario on Friday, Apri32020 to scale back construction activity throughout the province.

In addition to continuing work on the Centre Block and the East Block, PSPC will also continue emergency repairs and maintenance work to ensure the continued safe operations of parliamentary facilities. This is directly aligned with Province of Ontario direction.

Projects not aligned with the revised Province of Ontario directives have paused construction work. The 85 demobilized projects are in three primary categories:

• Interior fit-ups (e.g. office fit-ups in Parliamentary administrative leased space at 50 O’Connor; retail and operational space fit-up in the Wellington Building)
• Interior improvements (e.g. Drywall repairs and patchwork in the East Block; ceiling and radiator repairs in the Confederation Building; marble stone repairs in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building)
• Exterior repairs (e.g. window seal repairs to the Justice Building; window replacement/repairs to the Confederation Building; masonry maintenance on the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council; National Press Building exterior envelope)

Phoenix status

Context

This note focuses on the continuity of pay services in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pay and pension services are essential, and we have the resources in place to make sure they are operating without interruption.

Suggested response

• Pay services are provided without interruption and we continue to see a steady decline in the backlog
• Since January 2018, the backlog of financial transactions has decreased by 57%, from 384,000 to 166,000 transactions
• Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) asked all its employees, including those at the Public Service Pay Centre and the Client Contact Centre, to work from home if possible, while ensuring the delivery of essential services
• We are monitoring the situation daily and are ready to respond should any issues arise
• We are working closely with all our partners, including employees, unions, Members of Parliament offices and departments to provide support during this challenging time

If pressed on specific measures for COVID-19:

• We recognize that the recovery of overpayments can be a source of stress for employees, even more so now given the current circumstances
• Employees who have agreed on a repayment plan but now need to revisit it can contact the Client Contact Centre to discuss available options
• The Pay Centre has also suspended all new recoveries of overpayments that are eligible for flexible repayment measures
• Employees with pay issues continue to have access to an emergency salary advance or a priority payment when necessary
• Employees who cannot access the government network can request to have their pay stubs through mail or epost, by contacting the Client Contact Center
• We have introduced interim administrative measures to simplify and speed up the approval process of a range of pay-related transactions

If pressed on the Bouchard class action lawsuit for all employees affected by the Phoenix pay system:

• The President of the Treasury Board Secretariat is the lead as the employer
• We are aware that the Supreme Court of Canada denied the plaintiff’s application for leave to appeal the November 2019 decision of the Quebec Court of Appeal on scope of the class action
• Canada’s public servants deserve to be paid accurately and on time for their important work. The Government of Canada continues to take action on all fronts to resolve pay issues and we are seeing progress
• As this matter is currently before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time

Background

Services related to pay are considered essential and measures are in place to ensure that operational requirements are met.

Following the recommendation of the Public Health Agency of Canada, PSPC asked all its employees, including those at the Public Service Pay Centre and the Client Contact Centre (CCC), to work from home if possible, while ensuring the delivery of essential services.

The Pay Centre continues to focus on processing essential pay services, which include regular pay, return from leave, maternity and parental leave, disability insurance and departmental emergency salary advances.

Supporting employees and eliminating the backlog remain our top priorities and we continue to see progress.

From February 19 to April 1, 2020, the backlog of transactions with financial implication has decreased by 17,000. Over the past two years, since January 2018, the backlog has decreased by 57%, from 384,000 to 166,000 transactions.

The CCC remains the first point of contact for current and former federal public servants looking for information or help with compensation and benefits, and for technical issues when using the Compensation Web Applications or MyGCPay. Clients may, however, experience increased wait times when calling the CCC.

We are working closely with all our partners, including employees, unions, Members of Parliament offices, departments and their representatives from HR and pay, to provide support during this challenging time.

Eventual staged returns to the workplace

Context

A large proportion of the public service has transitioned to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government offices remain open and have been maintained for essential and critical workers to support Government of Canada efforts nationally. This situation is now evolving as some key service functions are increasing their incremental presence in offices while remaining guided by public health agencies within regional jurisdictions.

Suggested response

• Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is committed to providing its clients and employees with healthy and productive work environments
• Our actions, including an eventual return to offices, will continue to follow the guidance of public health authorities and the Treasury Board Secretariat
• In preparation, we will undertake appropriate cleaning and maintenance protocols for our buildings in advance of any staged return and stand ready to implement any additional recommended health measures

If pressed on Government building Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems spreading COVID-19:

• We are committed to providing our building occupants with productive and healthy workplaces
• The department continues to ensure that building systems including HVAC systems are properly operated and maintained to ensure healthy work environments
• Air that is distributed into the occupied spaces by central HVAC system(s) promotes appropriate air circulation and the removal of fine particles that are suspended in the air
• In response to COVID-19 we have implemented additional HVAC measures to enhance occupant wellness in our buildings. These measures are in keeping with industry guidance and consultation with Health Canada

Background

PSPC continues to expand its body of guidance to departments to support them in establishing their plans for an eventual return to the workplace.

Return to the workplace strategies are being elaborated based on the client’s nature of work, the functions to support services provided to Canadians, and the current configurations of their workplaces. Key practices include physical distancing for workstations, gathering rooms, and pathways for circulation within the work areas along with enhanced sanitation measures for workers including hand sanitizer and wipes for workspaces supported by guidelines recommended by the public health authorities to be accommodated within the workplace. Further, as other key employment infrastructure elements progressively resume, such as small businesses, schools and daycares, progressive back to work strategies will continue to require balancing office work with teleworking, sustaining and improving network infrastructure and bandwidth, and providing employees with access to mobility tools such as laptops, screens, mobile phones and virtual collaboration platforms to ensure continued program delivery.

Next steps

The department will continue engagement with central agencies and clients to collaborate on guidance for workplace return to work strategies. PSPC will also continue to advance procedures to ensure healthy and productive work environments for the resumption of occupancy in our buildings as guidance evolves.

Media article on the spread of COVID-19 through ventilation systems

A recent National Post article reference a Chinese study that was done on individuals who contracted COVID-19 while at a restaurant. The restaurant had a wall mounted air conditioning unit above the table with infected individuals that was blowing high velocity air into the rest of the restaurant.

Such high velocity air could transport and spread droplets that are released by infected individuals near the air conditioning unit beyond a 2 meter area of physical distancing. The mode of transmission for infection in this case is droplet spread that was influenced by the high velocity air from the wall mounted air conditioning unit.

Unlike the air conditioning system referenced in the Chinese study, the HVAC system(s) in PSPC buildings are centrally located and do not distribute air into the occupied zone at high velocity. The air that is distributed into the occupied spaces by the central HVAC system(s) promotes appropriate air circulation and removal of fine particles that are suspended in the air.

In response to COVID-19 PSPC has implemented the following additional HVAC measures to enhance occupant wellness in our buildings.

These measures are in keeping with industry guidance and consultation with Health Canada:

• Increasing the amount of outdoor air being provided to the space above code requirements
• Increasing the hours of operation of the HVAC systems to promote increased dilution of contaminants and improved air circulation that promotes removal of fine particles
• Ensuring appropriate temperature and humidity levels in occupied spaces to promote occupant comfort and wellness
• Ensuring appropriate filtration is installed
• Ensuring that there is no potential cross contamination between washroom exhaust air and ventilation airflow

Rent relief measures for federal building occupants

Context

Public Services Procurement Canada (PSPC) has put in place measures to alleviate financial pressure on its commercial tenants during a period of low-building occupancy brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested response

• PSPC is committed to providing its building occupants and employees with healthy and productive work environments
• The department has taken steps to allow tenants to defer their rent payments for a three-month period effective April 1, 2020, for those businesses whose income has been affected by the COVID‑19 containment measures
• On April 24, 2020, the prime minister also announced additional details regarding the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program, aiming to lower rent by 75% for eligible small businesses, and non-profit and charitable organizations that are facing financial challenges due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. The program currently covers the months of April, May and June 2020
• PSPC is working with Treasury Board Secretariat to the application of similar flexibilities for commercial tenants in its buildings

Background

Given the health and safety measures put in place to contain COVID-19, buildings under PSPC’s management are largely empty. As a result, commercial tenants may have experienced reductions in their business volumes.