COVID-19 & Legislation Updates | Weekly Workplace Recap from June 4 to June 10, 2021
Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario, Alberta and BC governments that touch on workplace legislation from June 4 to June 10, 2021.
Federal
Announces New Federal Holiday Honouring Indigenous Survivors Coming September 30
A bill creating a national holiday to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada received royal assent Thursday, June 3, 2021.
Bill C-5 amends the Canada Labour Code to create a new statutory holiday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 
As a result, September 30 will become the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a statutory holiday for employees in the federal government and federally regulated workplaces.
Officials estimate that the day off will cost the federal government almost $166 million each year, mainly in lost productivity, and another $223 million for federally regulated employers.
For more information, check out this news release.
Ontario
Moves to Step One of Reopening Plan on June 11
Ontario will move into Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen includes but is not limited to:
-
Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people;
- Non-essential retail permitted at 15% capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;
- Essential and other select retail permitted at 25% capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;
- Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households;
- Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people, among other restrictions;
- Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open outdoors for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with no more than 10 performers, among other restrictions;
Businesses that have not been specifically permitted to reopen under the plan for Step One must remain closed. Workplaces must also continue to ensure that all employees who can work remotely, do so.
In addition, employers will still be expected to continue all COVID-19 related workplace health and safety measures, including but not limited to workplace screening, enhanced hygiene practices, physical distancing, and face coverings.
For more information, check out this news release.
Alberta
Begins Stage 2 of Open for Summer Plan, effective June 10
Beginning today, June 10, Stage 2 of the Open for Summer Plan will take effect, which includes but is not limited to the following restrictions:
- Outdoor social gatherings increase to 20 people, with distancing.
- Restaurants may seat tables with up to six people, indoors or outdoors.
- Dining parties are no longer restricted to households only.
- Physical distancing and other restrictions still apply.
- Retail capacity increases to one-third of fire code occupancy.
- Gyms and other indoor fitness facilities open for solo and drop-in activities with three-metre distancing between participants and fitness classes may resume with three-metre distancing.
- Indoor settings may open with up to one-third of fire code occupancy, including indoor recreation centres. This includes arenas, cinemas, theatres, museums, art galleries and libraries.
- Indoor and outdoor youth and adult sports resume.
- The work-from-home order is lifted but still recommended.
For a full list of updated restritcions effect June 10, check out this news release.
British Columbia
Adds $140 Million in Additional Funding for Business Recovery Grant
The BC government is adding millions in additional funding to keep the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant operating until the expected start of Step 3 of BC’s Restart plan on July 1, 2021.
To date, the business recovery grant program has committed $290 million to support businesses impacted by the pandemic. After applications close on July 2, 2021, the total investment of the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program is expected to reach $430 million.
Eligible businesses interested in applying for the grant are encouraged to apply right away. All businesses that apply, including businesses in the application process, must submit all final documentation and details prior to the July 2, 2021, deadline.
Visit the Business Recovery Grant program for application process and eligibilty.
Extends Provincial State of Emergency until June 22
BC has formally extended the provincial state of emergency through the end of the day on June 22, 2021, to allow staff to take the necessary actions to keep British Columbians safe and manage immediate concerns and COVID-19 outbreaks.
For more information, check out this news release.
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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