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COVID-19 & Legislation Updates | Weekly Workplace Recap from Mar 04 to Mar 10, 2022
Below are the key COVID-19 & legislation topics that touch on the workplace from March 04 to March 10, 2022.
Federal
Public health officials welcome moves to ease restrictions as COVID-19 metrics improve
The Public Health Agency of Canada reported trends of severe illness are declining in most areas of the country. This improving state of the COVID-19 pandemic means Canadian jurisdictions can now ease public health restrictions further, federal officials said Friday.
Here are the latest updates for Alberta, Ontario and B.C.:
- Alberta has moved most aggressively to scrap COVID-19 measures, including requirements for masks and vaccine passports in virtually all situations.
- Ontario followed on March 1 by lifting its vaccine passport system and capacity limits in all indoor settings.
- B.C. announced today that mask requirements will be lifted Friday, March 11 and vaccine cards remain in place until April 8.
Ontario
Job-protected leave expanded for reservists
Military reservists in Ontario will no longer have to worry about losing their jobs while deployed or under training as the provincial government proposes new legislation addressing such concerns.
The Working for Workers Act, 2022 seeks to protect the day jobs of training or deployed military reservists by expanding job-protected leave and trimming down the six-month continuous employment requirement to just three months.
Employees on reservist leave will be reinstated to the same or a comparable position when they return, according to the government, adding that their seniority and length of service credits would also continue to accumulate during the leave.
Alberta
Alberta Health Services lifts mandatory vaccination policy for workers
Alberta joins other provinces such as Manitoba and Quebec in lifting vaccination or testing mandates for workers. At the direction of the Minister of Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) will amend the organization’s Immunization of Workers for COVID-19 Policy, effective March 10 at 4 p.m.
Current workers (as defined under the policy) that are unvaccinated and on a leave of absence will be able to return to work after March 10 at 4 p.m. A return to work will be worked out between workers and their workplace leaders.
Alberta introduces legislation to limit COVID-19 rule-making by municipalities
The Alberta government has introduced legislation to limit the authority of municipalities to impose COVID-19 mask and proof of vaccine rules.
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver said Tuesday that municipalities will now need provincial approval to pass such strictures on private businesses.
But McIver said local leaders will still have that power when it comes to municipally-owned infrastructure such as recreation centres, buildings and arenas.
British Columbia
Mask requirements to be lifted Friday, vaccine cards remain in place until April 8
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the following updates which come into effect:
- Starting Friday, March 11, masks will be encouraged in spaces where physical distancing is difficult to maintain, such as on public transit and on B.C. ferries, but they will not be required.
- Masks will still be required in health-care settings, such as physicians offices.
- Long-term care visitation will be restored, faith gathering capacity limits will be lifted, effective 12:01 a.m. March 11.
- The province's vaccine card will be dropped on April 8, as long as conditions continue to improve.
- On April 8, businesses can shift from their COVID-19 safety plans to communicable disease plans. The vaccination requirement for those living in post-secondary residences will also be lifted.
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