COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for May 26, 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 26, 2020. 

Federal

DND Commits $15 Million to Find Innovative Solutions to COVID-19 Challenges

The Department of National Defence (DND) announced today the first of a series of calls for innovations aimed at addressing some of the key challenges Canada is facing.

With an initial commitment of $15M, the first three challenges focus on:

• Viable and effective processes and methods for safely and rapidly decontaminating enclosed work environments (e.g., buildings and modes of transportation) containing sensitive equipment;
• Innovative material and designs to aid in decontamination of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), operational clothing and equipment for personnel responding to events involving biological hazards; and
• Data gathering solutions to support the early detection and community-based monitoring of outbreaks of contagious diseases.

Innovators are encouraged to consult the IDEaS program website for more information on the challenges and how to apply to the program.  

For more information, check out this news release. 

Ontario

Investigation into Long-Term Care Homes Hit the Worst

Today, the Ontario government outlined key findings from the Canadian Armed Forces report on the five high-risk, long-term care homes which the military has been assisting.

The report details concerns around infection prevention, safety, staffing and level of care and indicates that these five homes are beginning to stabilize with the support of the armed forces. 

As of May 25, 2020, there are currently 150 out of 626 long-term care homes in Ontario experiencing an outbreak, a number down from a high of 190. This means there are 476 homes not experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak.

For more information, check out this news release.

Alberta

Alberta MLAs Return to the Legislature on May 27

Government House Leader, Jason Nixon says "it is only fair the province’s policy-makers convene in Edmonton to debate legislation critical to getting the province back on track after a protracted commodities price war and COVID-19".

Alberta's Members of the Legislation Assembly (MLAs) will return to the legislature May 27, 2020 to debate legislation that will make life better for Albertans as the economy recovers from COVID-19.

At least 10 pieces of legislation will be introduced, including affirming parental rights to make important choices about their children’s education, strengthening public safety and cutting red tape.

For more information, check out this news release.

British Columbia

$200,000 Invested in the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement

Downtown Eastside (DTES) residents will use their knowledge of the community, while gaining valuable skills and paid work experience to support their fellow residents, though $200,000 from the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement.

Known as “peers”, these resident trainees will benefit from a new grassroots approach to peer support. The group of peers will provide support to other members of the DTES community, including services such as physical distancing support on cheque-issue days, information about government supports and other available resources, and sanitation.

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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