Covid-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for April 9, 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 9, 2020.
Federal
Federal Government Looks to Emergencies Act for more Powers to Fight COVID-19
The federal government is reaching out to the provinces and territories to start conversations about invoking the never-used-before Emergencies Act.
The Emergencies Act — which came into effect in 1988 — gives the federal government sweeping powers to regulate or prohibit travel, requisition and use property, order qualified people to provide essential services, regulate the distribution of goods, resources and services and establish emergency shelters and hospitals.
Under the act, the federal government could redirect medical supplies (masks, ventilators and COVID-19 testing devices) to pandemic hot spots that need immediate aid.
Learn more from this news release.
House of Commons will Reconvene Saturday to try to Pass the Emergency Wage Subsidy
A Saturday sitting for the House of Commons is an exceedingly rare occurrence, but the Prime Minister said today that there's an urgent need to get the legislation passed so that bureaucrats can start paying the subsidy to eligible businesses to prevent further layoffs.
Learn more from this news release.
Measuring the Labour Market is not Business as Usual for the Week of March 15 to 21
Employment fell by more than one million in March (-1,011,000 or -5.3%). The employment rate—or the proportion of people aged 15 and older who were employed—fell 3.3 percentage points to 58.5%, the lowest rate since April 1997.
Learn more from the Labour Force Survey, March 2020 from Statistics Canada
News! Travel restrictions still in place at international border crossings for the upcoming long weekend
We’re heading into the upcoming Easter and Passover long weekend – a weekend that represents for many a time to be with family and friends. However, as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Canada, they remind travellers that now is not the time to travel for non-essential purposes.
Learn more about the travel restrictions from this official news release.
Ontario
Premier Ford Appoints Team to Develop Plan for Post-Pandemic Growth and Prosperity
The Ontario government has launched a new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee which will focus on getting businesses up and running and people back to work after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
The Committee will assess the impact of the pandemic on the provincial economy and develop an action plan to move forward. To do this, the Committee will consult with a wide variety of people, including business associations, chambers of commerce, municipal leaders, corporate leaders, small business owners, and entrepreneurs.
Learn more from Ontario’s official news source.
News! Ontario creates partnership with volunteer hub to help seniors
The Government of Ontario is partnering with SPARK Ontario to help seniors and the most vulnerable stay connected and healthy as they self-isolate during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Learn more from this news release.
Alberta
Pandemic Supports Available for Small Business
Business Link will serve as a one-stop shop to help small businesses learn about and connect to available COVID-19 supports based on their unique business needs.
Small businesses can seek free advice, coaching and information on COVID-19 resources and support.
To access Business Link services, contact 1-800-272-9675 or visit www.businesslink.ca.
Learn more from Alberta’s official news release.
Alberta Invests $2 Billion in Job Creation
In response to the COVID-19 recession, the Alberta government will allocate almost $2 billion from the 2020 Capital Plan to resurface roads, repair bridges, restore schools and fill potholes, all to get thousands of Albertans back to work.
Learn more from Alberta's official news release.
News! Alberta government launches new online resource to fill jobs and keep the food supply safe
The new Agriculture Jobs Connector website is a tool where agriculture and food employers and workers can access hiring, job search and farm safety resources.
Access the Agriculture Job Connector here.
British Columbia
BC Workers Health & Safety a Priority as Highway 1 Project Continues
Work has resumed on the Highway 1 Illecillewaet four-laning project following the winter shut down, with enhanced safety precautions in place for workers to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19.
B.C.’s provincial health officer has directed construction employers to take all necessary precautions to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission and illness to themselves and their employees. This includes:
- increased number of handwashing stations and signs that identify their location;
- all meetings will abide by minimum two-metre separation between employees and will not involve more than 50 people in the same space in any circumstances;
- workers will be required to maintain a minimum distance of two metres apart from each other;
- all common areas and surfaces cleaned at the end of each day; and
- a list of employees who are currently working on site maintained and updated daily.
Learn more from BC’s official news release.
News! New virtual mental health supports for COVID-19 on the way
To ensure British Columbians have increased access to vital mental health supports during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Province has announced $5 million to expand existing mental health programs and services and launch new services to support British Columbians.
Learn more from BC’s official 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.
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