On April 1, 2020, the Ontario government issued an emergency order giving provincial boards of health the authority to take all reasonable steps necessary with respect to work deployment and staffing in light of COVID-19.
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COVID-19 – Continuity of Pension Plan Administration and Related Regulatory Flexibility
During these uncertain times, pension plan administrators must continue to administer their pension plans and provide benefits to members, former members and retired members. Employers and pension plan administrators face a number of upcoming filing and disclosure deadlines and may have challenges in meeting those deadlines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Government Releases Further Details for COVID-19 Economic Relief
On April 1, 2020, the federal government provided important additional information about the previously announced expanded wage subsidy program and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
The Orders Made Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in Light of COVID-19 – What Are They?
Editor’s Note on July 27, 2020: With the proclamation of Bill 195 on July 24, 2020, the declared emergency came to an end. Many of the orders below, however, will continue in effect under Bill 195 in accordance with its provisions. This post will no longer be updated. On March 17, 2020, the Ontario government…
Federal Government Releases Additional Details on Expanded Wage Subsidy Program
On March 30, 2020, Prime Minister Trudeau provided further information about the 75% wage subsidy being made available to businesses, which he first announced last week. Details are to follow from the Department of Finance, but this is what we know so far: the wage subsidy will be 75% up to the first $58,750 earned…
WSIB Announces Relief Package for Businesses
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced a financial relief package which will allow the deferral of premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. Businesses which report and pay monthly, quarterly or annual premiums are eligible for the deferral. Specifically, the deferral applies to payments due on the following dates: Monthly: March…
New Long-Term Care Homes Emergency Order Issued
On Friday, March 27, 2020, the Ontario government issued a second Emergency Order to specifically address the Long-Term Care Homes sector (O. Reg 95/20: Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes).
Employers Take Note: New PHIPA Amendments
On March 25, 2020, the provincial government passed Bill 188, Economic and Fiscal Update Act, 2020, which amends various statutes, including the Personal Health Protection Information Act, 2004 (PHIPA). Included among these amendments are new requirements for health information custodians relating to electronic audit logs, requirements for “consumer electronic service providers,” the ability of justices to make production orders, administrative penalties that can be issued by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (Commissioner) and a significant increase in the amount of penalties and possible imprisonment for offences. Unless otherwise indicated, these amendments came into force on March 25, 2020.
New Canada Emergency Response Benefit and Tax Relief Measures
Bill C-13, COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, received Royal Assent on March 25, 2020 after swift passage by Parliament and the Senate. This federal legislation implements the income support and other fiscal measures announced by the federal government on March 18, 2020.
New Leave Relating to COVID-19 under Canada Labour Code
On March 25, 2020, the federal government passed Bill C-13, COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, which contains various fiscal and other measures designed to deal expeditiously with the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Included among these measures is an amendment to the Canada Labour Code (Code) which provides an unpaid leave of up to 16 weeks for employees who are unable or unavailable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. The COVID-19 Leave came into force on March 25, 2020.