COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for May 1, 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 May 1, 2020. 

Federal

CSA Announces Temporary Blanket Relief to Public Companies with Delayed Annual Meetings

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) announced today that it's providing public companies with temporary blanket relief from certain filing and delivery requirements, which are generally tied to the sending of materials for annual general meetings.

With this conditional temporary relief, the CSA is giving public companies until December 31, 2020 to file their executive compensation disclosure. The CSA is also providing companies with temporary relief from the requirements to send, or send upon request, copies of their annual or interim financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) to investors within certain time periods.

For more information, check out this news release from the CSA. 

News! Public Health Agency of Canada using flu tracking system to monitor COVID-19

The Public Health Agency of Canada is using a system already in place to track the flu to monitor the spread of COVID-19.

The agency says it is shifting the focus of FluWatchers - which it describes as "an online health surveillance system that helps track the spread of flu and flu-like illness across Canada" - to track COVID-19 during the spring and summer.

Volunteers who sign up to be FluWatchers receive an email every week asking them questions about their current health. The agency says answers to its questions are collected anonymously and that it respects Canada's Privacy Act.

You can find more information on FluWatchers, including how to sign up here.

For more information, check out this news release.

Ontario

Ontario Releases List of Businesses Allowed to Reopen on May 4

Following the 61 sector-specific health and safety guidelines released yesterday afternoon, Premier Ford announced today that these businesses, following the proper health and safety guidelines, will be permitted to begin operations on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.:

• Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only, and lawncare and landscaping.

• Additional essential construction projects that include:

  • Shipping and logistics

  • Broadband, telecommunications and digital infrastructure

  • Any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services

  • Municipal projects

  • Colleges and universities

  • Childcare centres

  • Schools

  • Site preparation, excavation and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development

• Automatic and self-serve car washes; auto dealerships, open by appointment only.

• Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public.

• Marinas may also begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public.

For more information, check out this news release. 

Ontario Defers Charges for Industrial and Commercial Electricity Consumers 

The Ontario government passed an emergency order today to defer a portion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for industrial and commercial electricity consumers that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan for the period starting from April 2020. This initiative is intended to provide companies with temporary immediate relief on their monthly electricity bills in April, May and June 2020.

The government intends to keep this emergency order in place until May 31, 2020, and subsequent regulatory amendments would, if approved, provide for the deferral of these charges for June 2020 as well.

• The GA rate for smaller industrial and commercial consumers (i.e., Class B) has been set at $115 per megawatt-hour, which is roughly in line with the March 2020 value.
• Large industrial and commercial consumers (i.e., Class A) will receive the same percentage reduction in GA charges as Class B consumers.
• Subject to the approval of subsequent amendments, deferred costs would be recovered over a 12-month period beginning in January 2021.

For more information, check out this news release. 

Alberta

Alberta Launches ABTraceTogether App for Secure Mobile Contact Tracing 

Quick tracing and containment of outbreaks is critical as the province works to gradually relaunch the economy. The ABTraceTogether app will enhance the current manual tracing process and help Albertans protect themselves and their loved ones. 

Chief Medical Officer of Health says, "ABTraceTogether was designed to help protect Albertans and prevent community spread by quickly alerting people who may be at risk. The more Albertans who use it, the better we will be able to protect individuals from being unknowingly exposed and possibly spreading the disease. Give it a try, and encourage your family and friends to do the same. By working together, we can tackle this pandemic.”

Visit the ABTraceTogether website to learn more and download the app. 

For more information, check out this news release.

British Columbia

B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers (BCEBW) - Applications Open Today

British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected because of the COVID-19 pandemic and are receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) can now apply for the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers (BCEBW) online.

The BCEBW is a one-time, tax-free payment of $1,000 for eligible British Columbians.

To be eligible for the BCEBW, people must:

• have been a resident of B.C. on March 15, 2020;
• meet the eligibility requirements for the CERB;
• have been approved for the CERB, even if a federal benefit payment has not yet been received;
• be at least 15 years old on the date of application;
• have filed, or agree to file, a 2019 B.C. income tax return; and
• not be receiving provincial income assistance or disability assistance.

Apply for the BCEBW here. 

For more information, check out this news release.

B.C. Licence Renewal Fees Deferred for Liquor Licensees

In response to the significant challenges that some in the liquor industry are facing due to COVID-19, the general manager of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch has authorized the temporary extension for liquor licences expiring between March 31 and June 30, 2020, to ease the financial burden of upcoming renewal fees.

• This temporary extension to current licences is not a licence renewal.
• Extended licences must still be renewed prior to their new expiry dates.
• Renewal fees will be deferred until Sept. 30, 2020, and will continue to be calculated in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation (LCLR). 

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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