As COVID-19 continues to impact everyone across the province, a group of residential builders has donated tens of thousands of dollars worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) to local community groups and charities in Ontario.
On Thursday, the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) announced it would be donating $40,000 w0rth of PPE to four organizations impacted by COVID-19.
“RESCON members build the houses and condos where Ontarians create community and communities,” said RESCON president Richard Lyall. “COVID-19 impacts all Ontarians and it is very meaningful for us to give back to community groups.
“The construction industry has shown leadership in the creation of COVID-19 protocols and protecting workers. With this second wave of the pandemic upon us, our industry wanted to give back to schools, those who are without homes, and the community at large by providing the necessary PPE such as masks and hand sanitizer to help keep students safe,” said Lyall.
READ: How is the Real Estate Industry Keeping People Safe as COVID Rages On?
Representatives of RESCON joined Labour, Training and Skills Development Minister Monte McNaughton, and Mississauga East-Cooksville MPP Kaleed Rasheed at the Muslim Association of Canada’s Olive Grove School in Mississauga to make a donation of PPE equipment.
RESCON is donating a total of $40,000 in value of PPE to:
This isn't the first time RESCON has helped those impacted by COVID-19. Earlier this year, when the pandemic first struck, the organization developed and implemented protocols for residential construction sites.
The residential construction sector was the first in Ontario to produce sector-specific guidance documents to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on worksites. The guidance documents were approved by labour and management and served as a blueprint for the development of the province’s 170 sector-specific guidance resources.
“The groundwork laid by construction contributed to the industry doing well in dealing with COVID-19 across Ontario and that is why we want to give back to Ontario communities,” said Lyall. “RESCON will continue to prioritize the health and safety of workers and work with industry and government to ensure that appropriate measures are being taken on construction sites.”
RESCON says it's hoping other organizations in Ontario will also step up and donate PPE to schools, community groups, and charities.
"We chose to make the donations to schools because they are essential places of learning and growth for children," said RESCON in a statement.
