Ontario Issues Orders Relating to Stage 3 Reopening: What You Need to Know

On July 13, 2020, the Ontario government filed two Orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act regarding Stage 3 of the reopening of the province. The first Order, Stages of Reopening, is a new regulation that identifies which regions of the province are at Stage 1, 2 or 3 of the reopening plan.

Ontario Announces Stage 3 Reopening for Certain Regions

On Monday, July 13, the Ontario government announced that 24 regions in Ontario are moving to the Stage 3 of the provincial re-opening plans effective Friday, July 17, 2020. The Orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act giving effect to this announcement have not yet been published and we will provide further updates on the Stage 3 reopening as may be necessary. In order that you may continue your Return to Work planning, however, here is what we know as of today.

Federal Government Introduces Changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

On June 10, 2020, the federal government introduced Bill C-17, An Act respecting additional COVID-19 measures (Bill C-17). Among other changes, if passed in its current form, Bill C-17 would amend the Income Tax Act to revise the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).

Addressing the Cyber Risks of Remote Work – Personal Devices and Leakage

Based on all reports, the global pandemic and the resulting move to “work from home” has caused the cyber risk to organizations to elevate. As organizations move beyond the immediacy of the crises and begin to plan for the medium term, it is a good time to revisit cyber security and, in particular, the risks associated with increased reliance on remote work.

Addressing the Cyber Risks of Remote Work – Physical Security Risks

Based on all reports, the global pandemic and the resulting move to “work from home” has caused the cyber risk to organizations to elevate. As organizations move beyond the immediacy of the crises and begin to plan for the medium term, it is a good time to revisit cyber security and, in particular, the risks associated with increased reliance on remote work.

Ontario Government Provides Temporary Relief from ESA Termination and Severance Provisions in Response to COVID-19

On Friday, May 29, 2020, the Ontario government published a new regulation under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) that is intended to provide temporary relief from the ESA’s termination and severance provisions for employers whose operations have been shut down or otherwise curtailed by COVID-19 – O. Reg. 228/20, Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL Regulation).