Below are the key government announcements made on April 13, 2020 that touch on workplace issues. These changes will undoubtedly affect many of your businesses.
Our daily and weekend overviews of previous government announcements, employment analyses and other COVID-19 information are available here.
The Federal Government
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on April 13, 2020.
Alberta
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on April 13, 2020.
British Columbia
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on April 13, 2020.
Manitoba
The government announced a new call centre that will provide support to businesses and not-for-profits facing economic challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is designed to help businesses navigate and leverage the resources available through the provincial and federal governments.
New Brunswick
The government detailed its current measures to ensure the health and safety of seniors residing in nursing homes and long-term care facilities in New Brunswick, including:
- prohibiting visitors;
- implementing advanced screening protocols for staff prior to entering the workplace (including temperature checks and screening questions);
- providing on-site instruction for physicians and staff on caring for residents to avoid unnecessary transfers to hospitals wherever possible; and
- providing ongoing training on the proper use of personal protective equipment ("PPE") for staff, and requiring that all staff with direct patient contact use PPE.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Minister of Health and Community Services announced, effective immediately, that all long-term care home employees are to be allocated to a single site and remain working at that site (to the exclusion of all other sites) for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nova Scotia
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on April 13, 2020.
Ontario
Premier Doug Ford announced that the province's state of emergency will be extended through May 12, 2020.
The government announced that it had secured critical medical equipment and supplies, including more than 13 million surgical and procedural masks, 200,000 N95 respirator masks, and 38 ventilators. The government announcement indicates that these supplies are being sent by same-day delivery to hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes, and other facilities to support essential workers.
Prince Edward Island
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on April 13, 2020.
Quebec
Premier Legault announced the expansion of the province's list of essential services and commercial activities. He said that, amongst other activities, residential construction will be allowed in order to prevent a housing crisis.
The Premier also reiterated his desire to provide permanent wage increases for beneficiary attendants in order to address a clear labour shortage.
Saskatchewan
The government provided additional details regarding the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment ("SSBEP") that it announced on April 9, 2020.
The SSBEP provides a payment to eligible businesses based on 15% of the business monthly sales revenue from either April 2019 or February 2020. Applicants must select one of these base months to calculate their payment amount.
A detailed overview of the SSBEP, including eligibility criteria, can be viewed here and a Q & A can be viewed here.
In addition, the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority announced that grossly excessive pricing of products or services during the COVID-19 pandemic is not permitted. The prohibition on price gouging does not prevent businesses from reasonably raising prices, for instance, to reasonably cover increased labour costs. More information on price gouging can be viewed here.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
No major government updates from Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on April 13, 2020.
