COVID-19 & Legislation Updates | Weekly Workplace Recap from October 15 to October 21, 2021
Below are the key COVID-19 & legislation topics that touch on the workplace from October 8 to October 14, 2021.
Federal
Canada cancels wage subsidy & announces $7.4 billion in new COVID-19 supports
The federal government is spending $7.4 billion to extend and create new COVID-19 supports for hard-hit businesses and workers that will carry into the spring.
As of Sunday, October 23, new measures will be put in place to replace the broad Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS), which expire on Saturday.
The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit is a new measure aimed at providing income support to employees who are unable to continue with work due to government-imposed local lockdowns — if any in the near future.
New app provides remote access to COVID-19 resources for workplaces
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched a new mobile app to help make workplace health and safety resources on COVID-19 accessible to workers in Canada.
The CCOHS Safe Work app hosts the Centre’s collection of over 120 COVID-19 resources, including industry and sector-specific tip sheets, infographics, videos, and other guidance materials created to help workplaces keep their workers and customers safe.
Ontario
Ontario looking to crack down on temp agencies
The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would require temporary help agencies (THAs) and recruiters to have a licence to operate in the province. Proposed changes would enable officers to levy penalties against an unlicensed THA or recruiter or a business who is using an unlicensed operator.
As well, those who use deceitful recruiters could be required to repay workers for illegal fees charged. Ontario is also proposing to hire a dedicated team of officers to crack down on THAs and recruiters who are exploiting and trafficking domestic and foreign workers.
Ontario improving washroom rights for truck drivers and delivery workers
The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation that would, if passed, allow delivery workers access to company washrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up items.
Consultations conducted by the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee have indicated that couriers, truck drivers, and people who deliver food, including those for online delivery platform companies such as SkipTheDishes, are often denied use of a washroom at businesses they serve.
Alberta
Updated OHS laws support workplace safety
Changes to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and revised regulations take effect on December 1, 2021. These changes add flexibility and clarity and put all health and safety laws under one act while continuing to protect worker safety rights.
For employers, the updated laws will be easier to find and follow while continuing to provide guidance to ensure workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible.
For workers, the revised OHS laws continue to provide fundamental rights and protections to help ensure they are working in healthy and safe environments.
British Columbia
Small Business Week kicks off; B.C. hits pandemic supports milestone
Each year, Small Business Week offers an invaluable opportunity to celebrate Canada’s hard-working entrepreneurs and the impact they have upon our local communities.
This year’s event is taking place from October 17-23, and Small Business BC, in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, is joining the national celebration by offering free access to Small Business Week webinars all week long.
Free Webinars during Small Business Week 2021 include, but are not limited to:
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How to hire and retain staff for your business
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Mental health tools and resources for small business
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Online lead generation for small business
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Market research 1: Find business data and insights
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Blogging to promote your business
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TaxSense for small business
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Financial planning for your small business
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Trademarks, copyrights, patents and more.
Book any FREE webinar as early as possible to secure your place.
Mandatory Vaccinations
This topic now has its own section as the topic heats up and the list of employers who announce mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations grows.
Feds say provinces will issue 'standardized' proof of vaccination for travel
Instead of issuing a singular federal national COVID-19 vaccine passport, the federal government says that each province and territory will be responsible for issuing a “standardized pan-Canadian” vaccine passport that Canadians can use when travelling.
This “standardized” proof of vaccination is already available to Canadians whose provinces and territories have issued approved vaccine credentials: Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.
The remaining provinces are set to issue their standardized passports within the next month, and the documentation is able to be downloaded digitally or printed on paper.
Ontario launches vaccine verification app and QR codes for download
In advance of October 22, the Ontario government is making the enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code and the free, made-in Ontario verification app, Verify Ontario, available for download from the COVID-19 vaccination portal.
COVID-19 capacity limits lifting in BC as two-dose vaccine requirements begin
On Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, full vaccination for everyone born in 2009 or earlier (12+) and presentation of your BC Vaccine Card will be required to access certain events, services and businesses.
On Monday, Oct. 25, more people will be able to come together at organized gatherings and events in parts of the province where vaccination rates are high. The provincial health officer order restricting capacity limits to 50% for inside organized events and gatherings will be revised to allow 100% capacity in those settings where the BC Vaccine Card is in place and proof of vaccination status is checked.
Sarah Visca is the Operations Manager at ConnectsUs HR, a company that provides tools & resources to quickly set up a Human Resources department.
You can contact her here.
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