COVID-19 Updates | Weekend Workplace Round Up for May 30, 31 & June 1, 2020
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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario, Alberta and BC governments that touch on workplace issues for May 30, 31 & June 1, 2020.
Federal
FedNor Announces $7.6 Million to Create Jobs in Northern Ontario Tourism Industry
On May 31, 2020, FedNor announced that they are working along side the tourism sector to aid in COVID-19 recovery efforts. The Government of Canada has invested $7.6 million to support communities, businesses and organizations in Northern Ontario to help create jobs, stimulate growth and support the tourism industry.
The funding provided through FedNor’s programs, which support projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
Check out this news release for more information.
WD Announces $3.45 Million to Bolster Recovery Efforts for Western Canada's Tourism Industry
On May 31, 2020, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) announced $3.45 million to strengthen recovery efforts for Western Canada’s tourism areas.
The funding will be provided through WD, which strategically invests in projects that promote sustainable community economic diversification, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
Check out this news release for more information.
Rent Relief for Business Tenants in all National Parks & Conservation Areas
On May 25, the Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program opened for applications to provide rent relief to small businesses. However, businesses that are renters in Parks Canada places are not eligible for the CECRA program because they, or in some cases their landlord, are on federal lands renting from a federal agency.
As a result, the federal government is now providing a similar rent relief program under similar eligibility conditions to those of the CECRA program. Over 700 businesses may be eligible for this relief that will waive up to 75% of eligible commercial rents for the months of April, May and June 2020 or equivalent amounts of annual rents.
Check out this news release for more information.
Ontario
Bill 186: Temporary Changes to Layoff Regulations Protect Non-Unionized Workers
Today, the Ontario government announced that it's amending the Employment Standards Act (ESA), which currently requires businesses to terminate employees who have been laid off for 13 weeks and then requires the business to pay severance to workers.
A temporary change to layoff regulations will ensure businesses aren't forced to terminate employees after their ESA temporary layoff periods have expired.
Under Bill 186: Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020, non-unionized employees who have had their hours reduced or eliminated because of the pandemic will be deemed to be on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave. Workers will remain employed with legal protections and be eligible for federal emergency income support programs.
The amendment to the law will expire six weeks after the province's declared state of emergency ends.
Check out this news release for more information.
New Initiatives Support Consumers Struggling with Electricity Bills
The Ontario government announced today that it will continue to support provincial electricity consumers struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
New initiatives to help keep rates stable and affordable include:
- $9 million for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to support consumers struggling to pay their energy bills during the pandemic. CEAP will provide one-time payments to consumers to help pay down any electricity bill debt incurred over the COVID‑19 period. Applications will be available through local utilities in the upcoming months;
- $8 million for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) to provide support to businesses struggling with bill payments as a result of the outbreak; and
- An extension of the Ontario Energy Board's winter disconnection ban until July 31, 2020 to ensure no one is disconnected from their natural gas or electricity service during these uncertain times.
In addition, the government will continue the suspension of time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates and, starting on June 1, 2020, customers will be billed based on a new fixed COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8 cents per kilowatt hour.
Check out this news release for more information.
Alberta
$40 Million Funding Targets Agriculture, Agri-food and Forestry Sectors
The Alberta government is funding Emissions Reduction Alberta's Food, Farming, and Forestry Challenge through the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Fund.
A total of $40 million will come from the TIER Fund—a key part of Alberta’s climate response, funded by industry to:
- Help farmers, ranchers, industry, and innovators navigate the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing market implications. For example, the fund will create jobs, attract local and international investments and open up new markets.
- Lead to positive impacts, such as lower production and processing costs for food and fibre and natural solutions to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Learn more from Alberta's official news release.
British Columbia
Landlords Eligible for CECRA Now Restricted from Evicting Small Business Tenants
B.C. businesses eligible for rent support from the federal government will be protected from evictions as the B.C. government issues a new order under the Emergency Program Act (EPA).
The Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program was launched on May 25, 2020. However, many eligible small businesses whos landlords choose not to apply for the CECRA program have been left with no support.
The new order, effective immediately, restricts landlords who are eligible for CECRA from evicting tenants. This will hopefully encourage landlords to apply for the program and give some temporary relief to small businesses struggling to survive during the pandemic.
Check out this news release for more information.
$7.5 Million Invested in Amplify BC to Support Music Industry
B.C. government announced today a renewed investment of $7.5 million for Amplify BC, the provinces music fund delivered by Creative BC, to stabilize, support, and sustain B.C.’s music industry during the pandemic.
The suite of programs will focus on relief, recovery and renewal for B.C. artists, live music presenters and music companies in four areas:
- Industry initiatives: supporting the development of B.C.’s music industry, including up-and-coming talent, training, business development, export and research
- Career development: focusing on emerging and established artists
- Live music: providing support for B.C.-based live music events and the businesses that run them
- Music company development: focusing on innovation and supporting the sustainability of B.C.’s music companies
Check out this news release for more information.
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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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