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.
Practice Area: Employment Law
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.
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.
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.
OMHRA Spring 2020 ECHO Newsletter Features Articles Authored by Hicks Morley Lawyers
The Spring 2020 issue of OMHRA’s ECHO newsletter features two articles authored by Hicks Morley lawyers. In the article “Court Upholds Decision Finding Firefighter’s Heart Attack Was Not Work-related,” Jessica Toldo and Amanda Cohen discuss a recent decision of the Ontario Divisional Court, where it dismissed an application for judicial review of a decision by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Tribunal (WSIAT) denying benefits under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 to the estate of a firefighter who died of a heart attack in 2010.
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.
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.
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.
Stephen Shamie Featured in a Queen’s Law Article on Delivering Legal Services During COVID Crisis
Hicks Morley’s Stephen Shamie was featured by Queen’s Law as an alumnus in an article titled “Delivering Legal Services During COVID Crisis.” In the article Stephen describes Hicks Morley’s thought leadership and ability to pivot the firm’s operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic to protect its members, clients and the community through leveraging digital applications to continue to provide consistent legal services while working remotely.
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).