COVID-19 Updates | Weekend Workplace Round Up for April 25, 26 & 27, 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 25, 26 & 27, 2020
Federal
CEWS Applications Open Today - Apply Now
Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, launched the application process for the CEWS. As of today, employers can apply for the CEWS through My Business Account or through the CRA’s online application portal, and their representatives can apply through Represent a Client.
To provide more information and resources, the CEWS web page has been expanded to include an application guide, the CEWS attestation, and an FAQ section.
The CEWS application process is now open.
Learn more from this news release and backgrounder from the CRA.
$62.5 Million Invested in New Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced $62.5 million of new assistance to the fish and seafood processing sector.
This new Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund will help businesses:
- access short-term financing to pay for maintenance and inventory costs;
- add storage capacity for unsold product;
- comply with new health and safety measures for workers;
- support new manufacturing/automated technologies to improve productivity and quality of finished seafood products; and,
- adapt products to respond to changing requirements and new market demands.
The Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund will be delivered through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and Western Economic Diversification Canada. Further details will come soon on how and when processors can apply for assistance.
Learn more from this news release.
News! Governments of Canada and Manitoba invest $160,000 in Local Food Producers and Farmers’ Markets
Canada and Manitoba will be providing a total of $160,000 through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to Direct Farm Manitoba to purchase a software platform that will allow Manitobans to order food online from local producers and farmers’ markets.
Learn more from this news release.
Ontario
Ontario Provides Temporary Pandemic Pay for Frontline Workers
On April 25, 2020, the government of Ontario announced temporary funding to top up certain front line employees' existing hourly wages by $4, regardless of their rate of pay, and by providing each employee working over 100 hours monthly a lump sum of $250 per month for the next four months.
The pandemic pay will be effective for 16 weeks, from April 24, 2020 until August 13, 2020, and is expected to support over 350,000 frontline workers. Background information, including eligible workplaces and workers can be found here.
Learn more from Ontario’s official news release.
New & Amended Emergency Orders to Support Seniors & Deaf-blind Communities
On April 25, 2020, the government of Ontario introduced new and amended emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to better support Ontario's long-term care homes and deafblind community.
The new and amended emergency orders being introduced will:
- Allow health service providers, including hospitals, to temporarily reassign frontline staff to provide services and supports in long-term care homes.
- Provide staffing flexibility to service providers and employers in the intervenor services sector, which helps people who have a combined loss of hearing and vision. This will give employers the temporary authority to redirect staff to carry out essential tasks to support and protect people who are deafblind. It will also ensure staffing measures are in place to allow for physical distancing.
- Permit the use of allotment gardens and community gardens across the province. Local medical officers of health will provide advice, recommendation and instructions that the gardens must meet in order to operate, such as physical distancing, and cleaning and disinfecting commonly used equipment and surfaces.
Learn more from Ontario’s official news release.
Ontario Park Closures Extended until May 31
Today, the following statement on Ontario Parks operations in response to COVID-19 was issued:
"In order to keep Ontarians safe during this COVID-19 outbreak, our government is extending the closure of Ontario's provincial parks and conservation reserves to May 31, 2020. This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations, day use opportunities, access points and all public buildings."
Visit Ontario Parks website for the most up-to-date information.
Read the official statement.
Alberta
Health Care Employees Restricted from Working at Multiple Worksites
The government issued Ministerial Order 26.2020, which, among other things, amended the Labour Relations Code and Employment Standards Code for clarity and direction on how health care employers are to restrict health care staff from working at multiple facilities.
The order made under the Public Health Act sets out processes for:
- determining what health care facility an employee should work at if they work at more than one facility;
- requiring employers to place employees who choose to work at an alternative facility on a leave of absence and requiring employers to return such employees back to their position within a reasonable period of time after CMOH Order 10-2020 is no longer in effect;
- requiring employers to follow scheduling practices so as to provide additional hours and preferential overtime to employees who have lost income as a result of no longer being able to work at multiple health care facilities; and
- granting the Labour Relations Board with the jurisdiction to resolve any disputes arising from the implementation of the Order.
Read the official Ministerial Order 26.2020.
British Columbia
Doubles Annual Funding for Family Caregivers of B.C. to $1 Million
As part of British Columbia’s emergency COVID-19 response plan, the province is doubling this year’s funding for Family Caregivers of British Columbia to $1 million, helping support both caregivers and seniors.
Family Caregivers of B.C. is a not-for-profit organization that supports people who are caring for elderly loved ones, family or friends. With a network of local agencies throughout B.C., Family Caregivers will increase the capacity of its helpline and offer a number of virtual connections that can bring family caregivers together.
Learn more about Family Caregivers of B.C.
See BC's official news release for details.
News! Updated COVID-19 guidance for Retail Food and Grocery Stores
This guidance document outlines key steps to put in place for physical distancing and good hygiene practice for retail food and grocery stores. All these updated food safety and sanitation requirements for food premises continue under the Public Health Act’s Food Premises Regulation.
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