On April 11, 2020, Bill C-14, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2, (Bill C-14), received Royal Assent after another emergency session of Parliament. Bill C-14 enacts the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). It includes new details about which employers are eligible, and the calculation of gross revenue and the subsidy. On the same date, the federal government also updated its backgrounder describing the CEWS, reflecting the final form of the legislation.
Hicks Morley publishes a number of materials, both electronic and print, on issue-specific and sector-specific topics of interest to our clients. Our insights section has links to all of our various publications, updates and blogs, both current and historical, to keep you informed of developments in the law that impact human resources.
HR HealthCheck
Ontario Updates COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance
In its “COVID-19 Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance” of March 27, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) stated that only symptomatic individuals should be tested.
FTR Now
Additional Details of Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Enhanced Summer Jobs Program Released
After making its initial announcement about the significantly expanded Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program, the federal government announced on April 8, 2020, that it is introducing additional flexibility to the CEWS, and provided additional details about how the program will operate.
FTR Now
Emergency Order Allows First Responders Access to COVID-19 Information
The Ontario government has made an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) which allows specified first responders to have access to “COVID-19 status information” about persons with whom they are coming into contact in the course of their duties. The government announced that the information will be used solely for the purpose of permitting first responders “to take appropriate safety precautions to protect themselves and the communities they serve.”
FTR Now
COVID-19 Update: Questions and Answers for Municipalities
On March 17, 2020 the Ontario government declared a state of emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). This has been followed by a series of Orders that have significant operational impacts on municipalities.
HR HealthCheck
Ontario Launches Portal to Match Health Care Workers with Health Care Employers
On April 7, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it is launching the “Health Workforce Matching Portal”. The Portal will enable available health care workers to assist in the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by matching those workers with employers, such as hospitals, clinics and assessment centres, to help, for example, in public health functions such as case and contact management.
FTR Now
Significant Staffing and Deployment Flexibility Provided to Developmental Services Agencies to Alleviate the Effects of COVID-19
On April 3, 2020, the Ontario government issued an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) that applies to service agencies which provide services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities. Under the terms of the order, service agencies shall and are authorized to take, with respect to staffing and work deployment, any reasonably necessary measures to respond to, prevent and alleviate the outbreak of COVID-19.
FTR Now
Ontario Orders More Business Closures in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic; Clarifies Obligations of Businesses that Remain Open
On April 3, 2020, the Ontario government announced that more businesses must close because they are no longer considered essential in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses must close effective tomorrow, Saturday April 4, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
FTR Now
Retirement Homes Given Staffing Powers in Light of COVID-19
On April 2, 2020, the Ontario government issued an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act authorizing every retirement home and licensee (within the meaning of the Retirements Homes Act, 2010) to take all reasonable steps necessary to respond to, prevent and alleviate the outbreak of COVID-19 in a retirement home.
Raising the Bar
Overview of Status and Availability of Ontario Courts in Light of Pandemic
Here you will find an update regarding the current status and availability of Ontario Courts in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This information is current as of April 2, 2020.