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Federal Government Phasing Out COVID-19 Support Measures

On October 21, 2021, the federal government announced that two key pandemic programs, the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), would not be extended past October 23, 2021. It has proposed extending the Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)—with narrowed criteria—to May 7, 2022. It also plans to introduce two new programs—The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program—that would provide rent and wage subsidies, as well as lockdown support for a targeted set of businesses and organizations, until May 7, 2022, with the possibility of extension until July 2, 2022. The details of the two programs are set out in the Backgrounder, “Targeting COVID-19 Support Measures.”

Updated Guidance on ROE Codes to be Used for Non-Compliance with Workplace Vaccination Policies

On October 15, 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated its website page EI information for employers – COVID-19 with respect to Block 16 – Reasons for issuing this ROE (record of employment). Block 16 is used to indicate the reason for the employee’s leave or separation from employment, or why the ROE is…

Ontario Introduces Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate and Verify Ontario App

On October 15, 2021, the Ontario government announced that the enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate with the official QR (Quick Response) code, as well as the verification app, Verify Ontario, are available for download. These tools are intended to make the process of providing proof of vaccination in order to access certain public settings more secure…

Ministry Issues Directive for Vaccination Requirements in Long-Term Care Homes

On October 1, 2021, the Minister of Long-Term Care issued an updated Long-term care home COVID-19 immunization policy directive (Directive). The Directive sets out COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff, support workers, student placements and volunteers (Covered Individuals) working in long-term care homes and applies regardless of the frequency or duration of their attendance at the…

Ontario Eases Capacity Limits in Select Settings

On October 8, 2021, the Ontario government announced that would be “cautiously” lifting capacity limits in select settings where proof of full vaccination is required, effective October 9, 2021. O. Reg. 698/21, amending O. Reg. 364/20, the Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step, gives effect to these changes. For…

Federal Government Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Travellers and Federal Sector Employees

On October 6, 2021, the federal government announced that as of October 30, 2021, all travellers departing from Canadian airports, travelling on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains or travelling on non-essential marine passenger vessels must be fully vaccinated. The government also announced that, effective October 30, the federally regulated transportation sector will be required…

Ontario Announces Rapid Antigen Testing for Schools and Licensed Child Care Settings

On October 5, 2021, the Ontario government announced that it is increasing access to rapid antigen COVID-19 testing for schools and licensed child care settings, where there is increased risk of transmission of COVID-19. The program will provide rapid screening for unvaccinated and asymptomatic children and students. The testing will be done on a voluntary…

Ontario Announces Mandatory Vaccination Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes

On October 1, 2021, the Ontario government announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will become mandatory for all in-home staff, support workers, students, and volunteers in long-term care homes, unless a valid medical exemption is presented. These individuals will have until November 15, 2021 to show proof that they have received all required doses of a COVID-19…

Check-in on the Impact of COVID-19 on Wrongful Dismissal Litigation

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a broad-ranging impact on employment law since March 2020. Now that we are 18 months into the pandemic, employers may find it helpful to have a check-in on how Canadian courts have, to date, considered the impact of the pandemic on wrongful dismissal claims arising from layoffs and terminations during…