COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace round up on Labour, Employment & Human Rights | April 2, 2020

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Below are the key announcements from Federal, Ontario, Alberta and BC governments that touch on workplace issues for April 2, 2020:

The Federal Government

Update on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

The Prime Minister announced more details on the CERB. Some of the key highlights are as follows:

• Eligibility criteria – Applicants must:
  • reside in Canada,
  • be at least 15 years old,
  • have not voluntarily quit working,
  • have stopped working because of COVID-19 or for reasons that make them eligible for Employment Insurance (EI),
  • had an income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or the last 12 months, and
  • have been, or expect to be, without income for at least 14 days in the initial 4-week period, and have no income thereafter.
  • not be receiving or waiting to receive the 75% wage subsidy (CEWS).
• Duration and amount of CERB benefits – Applicants will receive $500 per week between March 15 and October 3, 2020.The benefits are taxable.
• Coordination of CERB and EI – Applicants cannot receive both CERB and EI benefits at the same time. The following coordination rules will apply:
  • If the applicant is currently receiving EI, the applicant will continue to receive EI until the end of the benefit period. If the applicant’s EI benefits end before October 3, 2020, they can apply for the CERB.
  • If the applicant has already applied for EI and became eligible before March 15, 2020 (because they stopped working before March 15, 2020), the applicant will receive EI benefits.
  • If the applicant has already applied for EI and became eligible on or after March 15, 2020 (because they stopped working on or after March 15, 2020), the applicant will receive CERB benefits.
• Payment of CERB benefits – Applicants must choose whether to receive the CERB by mail or by direct deposit. Those who choose to receive a cheque by mail will receive it within 10 days, while those who choose direct deposit will receive payment within 3 to 5 days. After applying for the CERB, Applicants must confirm they do not have a job once a month to continue receiving this benefit.
• Preparing to Apply - Workers can apply for the CERB starting April 6, 2020 at Canada.ca/coronavirus. 
  • The government recommends that Canadians get ready to apply for the CERB by signing up to My Account or My Service Canada Account.
  • They should also make sure their direct deposit and mailing information is up to date with the CRA.
  • Whether you apply online or by phone, to manage the best service for everyone, the government has set up specific days for you to apply.

Individuals are asked to use the following guidelines:

Learn more about the CERB from the Federal Government’s website.

Update on the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

Canadian banks are announcing their fully digital application process to apply for the CEBA.

The CEBA is an interest-free loan of $40,000 for qualifying businesses. Up to $10,000 of that amount will be eligible for complete forgiveness if $30,000 is fully repaid on or before December 31, 2022.

Financial institutions are set to begin accepting online enrollments the week of April 6, 2020. 

Banks such as RBC and CIBC have reached out to their customers, letting them know they will be alerted when the process is live.

For more information about the loan including eligibility and how to enroll and prepare:

• Check your emails to see if you received an announcement from your financial institution and; 
• Learn more about the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) on the government website. 

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Due to the importance of yesterday's announcement related to the 75% wage subsidy, we're including this announcement again in case you missed it.

 See yesterday’s article for updates on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).

Ontario

Support Development of Essential Supplies & Equipment through New Ontario Together Fund

A new $50 million Ontario Together Fund is being launched to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Fund will help businesses across the province stay in business while adjusting their operations to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment, including gowns, coveralls, masks, face shields, testing equipment and ventilators.

The fund will be available to companies and organizations across the province.  Businesses can submit proposals to the government through the Ontario Together web portal.

Alberta

Expanded Child Care for Essential Workers

Child care is now available to anyone who works in the critical areas that the government outlines as essential. Parents who qualify for the subsidy will receive it and centres will charge their typical rate, within reason. Parents who are eligible should only access this childcare if it is the only way they will be able to go to their work in a core service sector. Child care centres will be financially compensated for reopened spaces that are not filled.

Learn more about the expanded child care subsidy.

British Columbia

New guidance for Preventing Exposure to COVID-19 in the Workplace

The British Columbia Workers Compensation Board has issued new guidelines for preventing exposure to COVID-19 at workplaces in British Columbia.

Download the Preventing exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace: A guide for employers.

Relief for BC Hydro Customers

BC Hydro will offer new, targeted bill relief to provide help to those most in need:

• Small businesses that have been forced to close due to COVID-19 will have their power bills forgiven for three months, from April to June 2020.
• Major industries, like pulp and paper mills and mines, will have the opportunity to defer 50% of their bill payments for three months.
• Residential customers who have lost their jobs or are unable to work as a result of COVID-19 will receive a credit to help cover the cost of their electricity bills. The credit will be three times their average monthly bill over the past year at their home and does not have to be repaid.

Learn more about BC Hydro’s response to COVID-19.

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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