COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for June 12, 2020
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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario and B.C. governments that touch on workplace issues for June 12, 2020.
Federal
Funding for Food Production and Processing Sector
Today, the $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund was launched. This program prioritizes projects based on two objectives:
- Emergency COVID Response – Funding to help companies implement changes to safeguard the health and safety of workers, their families and communities.
- Strategic Investments – Funding to help companies improve, automate and modernize facilities to increase Canada’s food supply capacity.
Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations, cooperatives and indigenous groups.
Activities can be retroactive to March 15, 2020, and must be completed by September 30, 2020.
For more details, see this news release.
Ontario
$15 Million Invested in Protecting Agri-food Workers
The Government of Ontario is expanding the Agri-food Workplace Protection Program and committing up to $15 million to enhance health and safety measures on farms and in food processing facilities.
The Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program provides cost-share funding for farmers to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and implement workplace modifications and other measures. By significantly expanding the program, farmers can take additional steps to improve the health and safety for their workers and ensure the continued supply of locally grown food during the COVID-19 outbreak.
For more information, visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or check out this news release.
$57 Million Invested to Help Small Businesses Go Digital
The Ontario Government, in partnership with the Federal Government, is helping small businesses reach more customers through the Digital Main Street platform.
Digital Main Street platform, is a $57 million program that will support small businesses digital transformation through the following three new programs:
- shopHERE powered by Google will leverage Ontario’s strengths by hiring highly skilled and trained students to build and support the launch of online stores for businesses that previously did not have the capacity to do so themselves.
- Digital Main Street Grant will help main street small businesses adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing.
- Future-Proofing Main Street will provide specialized and in-depth digital transformation services and support that helps existing main-street firms adapt to changes in their sector and thrive in the new economy.
In addition, the Recovery Activation Program, operated through the Toronto Region Board of Trade, will help businesses grow and digitize their operations with custom consulting sessions, online resource sharing, learning webcasts and business planning. The program will be offered province-wide and at no cost to businesses.
For more information, check out this news release.
British Columbia
Loosening Restrictions for Food and Liquor Establishments
On June 10, an updated Order to food and liquor establishments was issued by the Provincial Health Officer. This Order allows licensees to increase their overall service capacities as long as they continue following mandates related to physical distancing and other guidelines.
For more information on the guidelines to be followed, visit the ministerial order.
Better Access to Gaming Grants for Non-Profit Organizations
B.C. is making changes to the Community Gaming Grants (CGG) program to make it easier for non-profit organizations to adapt and continue to provide vital services. Applications for the human and social services sector, which includes food banks, shelters, domestic violence supports, hospice, counselling services and others, are opening mid-June 2020, nearly two months ahead of schedule.
Other changes to the CGG program provide:
- flexibility in requirements;
- the ability to include new programs in an application to respond to COVID-19 specific needs; and
- guidance on how to apply for grants given current uncertainty about whether programs such as annual fairs may be postponed or cancelled.
For more information, check out this news release.
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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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