Covid-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for April 9, 2020

Sarah Visca | Apr 15, 2020

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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario, Alberta and BC governments that touch on workplace issues for April 15, 2020.

Federal

Prime Minister Announces Expanded Access to CERB and Support for Essential Workers

Justin Trudeau announced this afternoon that the government is stepping up to support those who need help but don't qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The eligibility requirements for the benefit are also being adjusted to support Canadians working in essential jobs who make less than they would if they received the benefit.

To help more Canadians benefit from the CERB, the government will be changing the eligibility rules to:

Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Extend the CERB to workers who recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.

Read the official news release from the Prime Minister.

Learn more from this backgrounder.

Government Announces Relief for Federally Regulated Pension Plan Sponsors

Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced that the government "will provide immediate, temporary relief to sponsors of federally regulated, defined benefit pension plans. This relief will be in the form of a moratorium, through the remainder of 2020, on solvency payment requirements for defined benefit plans".

This relief will help ensure that employers have the necessary financial resources to maintain their operations and their pension plans.

Learn more from this news release.

Parks Canada Extends Suspension of Camping Reservations and Events Across the Country until at least May 31

As of today, Parks Canada has suspended all camping, group activities, and events at all national parks, national historic sites, heritage canals and national marine conservation areas until May 31, 2020.

This suspension means:

All visitor services, including reception, information, lockage and mooring are suspended until further notice;
All visitor facilities, including parking lots, washrooms, day use areas and visitor centres are closed until further notice;
All camping facilities including backcountry camping, oTENTiks, and other roofed accommodations remain closed until further notice;
All events, group and interpretive activities are cancelled until at least May 31, 2020;
Parks Canada will not be taking new reservations until at least June 1, 2020. All existing reservations set to take place prior to May 31, 2020, will be automatically cancelled and refunded in full.

For more details, see this backgrounder and the official news release.

News! The premiers don’t want Emergencies Act used during COVID-19 pandemic

Canada's premiers believe the Emergencies Act, that carries sweeping powers for the federal government to override the provinces and restrict the flow of goods and people, is not needed right now.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe stated today that “premiers are confident that provinces, territories and the federal government have the capacity, through their respective jurisdictions and existing authorities, to effectively manage through the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery.”

Learn more from this news release.

News! Government of Canada connects Canadians with mental wellness supports during COVID-19

Today the Minister of Health launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness: Wellness Together Canada.

The portal is located on Canada.ca/coronavirus and the Canada COVID-19 app. It will connect Canadians to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls, making it easier to find credible information and support to address mental health and substance use issues.

Visit Wellness Together Canada now.

Ontario

Ontario Extends Declaration of Emergency until May 12

The Ontario government has extended the Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act for a further 28 days up until May 12, 2020.

The extension allows the province to continue to use every tool at its disposal to protect the health and safety of the people of Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A full list of emergency orders can be found on the Ontario e-Law website.

Learn more from Ontario’s official news source.

News! Robust action plan and new emergency order to protect the most vulnerable in long-term care homes

Today Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care announced the COVID-19 Action Plan: Long-Term Care Homes.

The action plan adds critical new measures to prevent further outbreaks and deaths from COVID-19 in long-term care homes.

For details, check out the COVID-19 action plan for long term care homes and Ontario's official news release.

Alberta

Alberta Increases Support for Caregivers

The province is providing $3 million to Caregivers Alberta to expand supports for caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.

Funding to the non-profit organization will help expand support programs and resources for the almost one million Albertans who are caregivers for family and friends.

Learn more from Alberta’s official news release.

News! Additional funding will improve access to mental health and addiction recovery services, supports and resources for all Albertans.

The Government of Alberta is spending more than $53 million to implement more online, phone and in-person mental health and addiction recovery support to make it easier for Albertans to access services from anywhere in Alberta during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more from Alberta’s official news release.

British Columbia

BC Extends State of Emergency until April 28

The B.C. government has formally extended the state of emergency through to the end of the day on April 28, 2020, allowing government to continue to take the necessary steps to keep British Columbians safe during the pandemic.

The extension of the provincial state of emergency is based on recommendations from B.C.’s health and emergency management officials.

Learn more from BC’s official news release.

BC Supports Temporary Foreign Workers

Every year, approximately 10,000 seasonal farm workers are employed in B.C. through the federal Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP).

On April 13, the federal government announced it would provide $50 million to help temporary foreign workers (TFW's) that arrive to work in the farming, fishing and food production industries.

TFWs will have an exemption to travel restrictions to Canada provided they can adhere to the 14-day self-isolation period upon arrival. The money will support worker salaries while they are self-isolating for 14 days.

Learn more from BC’s information bulletin.

News! Liquor store hours extended to protect seniors, most vulnerable

The Government has temporarily extended hours of retail liquor service in British Columbia to provide greater opportunities for physical distancing for seniors and people who are immuno-compromised.