October 16, 2020

Ontario Proposes Allowing 24-Hour Deliveries

Proposed legislation in Ontario would pave the way for 24-hour deliveries to businesses. The Main Street Recovery Act, 2020, introduced by Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, Prabmeet Sarkaria, contains measures to help small businesses rebuild, reinvest and create jobs.

The proposal, among other things, would permanently allow 24/7 deliveries to businesses including retail stores, restaurants, and distribution facilities.

The proposed legislation was welcomed by the Region of Peel, which has been piloting off-peak deliveries.

“The Region of Peel has long recognized that the regional economy is dependent on a strong goods movement system,” said Peel Goods Movement Task Force chairman Nando Iannicca.

“Peel also knows that our goods movement system is facing strong growth pressures and businesses are becoming increasingly challenged with delivering goods and services to the community. This Bill, if passed, will allow for a timely and consistent movement of essential goods and supplies, assuring the people of Ontario that essential supplies will be available at their drug stores, supermarkets, and other retailers across the province when needed.”

“The passing of this Bill will be welcomed news and a big win for our local businesses, the environment and residents commuting throughout the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area,” added Caledon mayor Allan Thompson.

“Our supply chain is more important than ever and this flexibility will have many positive spin-offs.”

The Region of Peel’s Off-Peak Delivery Pilot with the University of Toronto, the LCBO, Loblaw, and Walmart Canada, showed goods movements improved by 18.1 percent, and emissions related to congestion fell 10.6 to 15 percent.

(Source: Inside Logistics)