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COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for June 16, 2020

COVID-19 Resources for Small Business
Sarah Visca | Jun 16, 2020

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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario, Alberta and B.C. governments that touch on workplace issues for June 12, 2020.

Federal

CERB Extended an Additional 8 Weeks 

Justin Trudeau announced today that the government is extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) by eight weeks.

CERB is a taxable benefit of $2,000 over a four-week period for eligible workers who have stopped working or whose work hours have been reduced as a result of COVID-19.  This extension will make the benefit available to eligible workers for up to a total of 24 weeks. Learn more about the CERB. 

The government has also announced their plans to make changes to the CERB attestation, which will encourage Canadians receiving the benefit to find employment and consult Job Bank, Canada’s national employment service that offers tools to help with job searches.

To apply, visit the Canadian Government’s website or call 1-833-966-2099.

For more information, see this news release.

Ontario

New Toolkit to Help Employers Create Workplace Safety Plans

The Ontario government has released a general workplace guide to help companies develop a safety plan to better protect workers, customers and clients as they return to work in Stage 2.

The guide is accompanied by a template which will help employers identify the risks, determine what controls are needed, create a safety plan, implement the plan, and communicate the plan amongst the workforce. 

The guide and template can be found on the government’s website.

For more information, check out this news release.

Alberta

Legislation to Safeguard Businesses from Eviction

Bill 23, the Commercial Tenancies Protection Act, would protect eligible commercial tenants from having their leases terminated due to non-payment of rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If passed, the act would also prevent landlords from raising rent and charging late fees and penalties on missed rent.

The new measures will help address shortfalls in the current CECRA program, and will give eligible business owners peace of mind as they reopen and help with the provincial economic recovery.

The legislation and upcoming regulation would cover the period from March 17 to Aug. 31, and would apply to:

  • Commercial tenants with tenancy agreements that would be eligible for the CECRA program, but whose landlords have chosen not to participate.
  • Commercial lease agreements where tenants have had to close their business due to public health orders or have had their business revenue decline by 25 per cent or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, check out this news release. ​

British Columbia

Expanding Support to Restaurant and Tourism Industry

B.C. has approved a temporary wholesale pricing model that will allow liquor licensees to purchase beer, wine and spirits at reduced cost. It will be in place from the end of July 2020 until March 31, 2021, when the program will be reviewed.

The new model will have licensees pay only wholesale price of the products they order rather than whole sale price plus a retail mark up set by the Liquor Distribution Branch.

For more information, check out this news release. 

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Sarah Visca
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.