As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada continues to rise, so too are the challenges that employers are facing across the country. Join us for a one-hour webinar as our presenters answer frequently asked questions and provide information on some of the key issues affecting employers with respect to the virus.
Industry: Membership Associations
Nadine Zacks Quoted in Canadian Lawyer Magazine on In-House Counsel Adapting to COVID-19 Operational Changes
With numerous businesses closing or modifying operations to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19, legal departments are facing a host of new challenges. Organizations are struggling to continue serving customers and support employees, many of whom are now working remotely.
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…
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.
Ontario’s Announcement about Closure of Non-Essential Businesses: Questions and Answers for Employers
On March 23, 2020 Premier Doug Ford announced that effective 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, all non-essential businesses will be ordered to close for 14 days, and possibly longer. This order is made further to the emergency declared on March 17, 2020 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Here is what employers need to consider now.
Advantage CPD: COVID-19 Catch-up – What Employers Need to Know About the New Changes
A lot can change in a week. With a view to containing the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a flurry of announcements at the provincial and federal levels, including a Declared Emergency by the Ontario Government. From the mandatory closure of certain facilities, to the waiving of the waiting period for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits for quarantined employees, closure of borders to non-essential travel, extension of the EI work-sharing program, and prohibited gatherings of over 50 people, new measures are being announced at a rapid pace.
Ontario Amends the ESA to Extend Employee Protections in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 19, 2020, the Ontario Legislature met in an emergency session to pass legislation to extend protections for employees in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill 186, the Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020 amends the leaves of absence provisions of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) to provide more leave entitlements to employees impacted by the pandemic and to prohibit employers from requesting medical notes in relation to the new leave.
Federal Government Announces Further Support for Workers Affected by COVID-19
On March 18, 2020, the federal government announced an $82 billion aid package, with $27 billion in direct income support for individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19, and $55 billion to assist with liquidity in the form of tax deferrals.