Below are the key government announcements made on May 15, 2020 that touch on workplace issues.
Our daily (weekday) and weekend overviews of previous government announcements, employment analyses and other COVID-19 information are available here.
The Federal Government
The government announced a number of updates to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (the “CEWS”), including:
- the CEWS will be extended for another 3 months to August 29, 2020; and
- the government has approved regulations to extend eligibility for the CEWS to the following groups:
- partnerships that are up to 50% owned by non-eligible members;
- Indigenous government-owned corporations that are carrying on a business, as well as partnerships where the partners are Indigenous governments and eligible employers;
- registered Canadian amateur athletic associations;
- registered journalism organizations; and
- non-public colleges and schools, including institutions that offer specialized services, such as arts schools, driving schools, language schools, or flight schools.
The government announced further proposed changes to the CEWS which will require legislation, including:
- providing flexibility for employers of existing employees who were not regularly employed in early 2020, such as seasonal employees;
- ensuring that the CEWS applies appropriately to corporations formed from the amalgamation of two predecessor corporations; and
- better aligning the treatment of trusts and corporations for the purpose of determining CEWS eligibility.
The government expects to make further changes as a result of its ongoing consultations with business and labour stakeholders. The government did not confirm when it would introduce the necessary legislation to implement these proposed changes.
Alberta
The Chief Medical Officer of Health issued CMOH Order 18-2020 and CMOH Order 19-2020, which require businesses that are permitted to open to, among other things:- implement practices to minimize the risk of transmission of infection;
- provide procedures for rapid response if a person develops symptoms of illness while at the business;
- ensure that persons working at or attending the business maintain high levels of sanitation and personal hygiene;
- comply, to the extent possible, with any applicable Alberta Health guidance; and
- complete a plan that sets out how the operator will meet these requirements and post the plan on a public website or other place where it can be readily seen within 7 days of opening.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has also released CMOH Order 20-2020 which permits gatherings of up to 50 persons.
British Columbia
The Provincial Health Officer published an Order requiring employers to develop COVID-19 worksite safety plans. An employer’s plan must be posted on the employer’s website and at the workplace.
The government announced that elementary and secondary schools will resume in-class learning on June 1, 2020, on a part-time basis. In-class learning will be voluntary. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 will be able to attend class at 50% of previous levels, while students in Grades 6 through 12 will be able to attend classes at 20% of previous levels (approximately 1 day per week). Online learning will continue to be provided.
Finally, the government published guidance documents for employers operating work camps in the natural resources sector, as well as for farm and agriculture businesses.
Manitoba
The government extended the provincial state of emergency for 30 days, effective May 17, 2020.
New Brunswick
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on May 15, 2020.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development announced that schools will be closed for the remainder of the current school year.
The Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour announced $300,000 in funding to launch a new Students Supporting Communities Program. The program provides a $3,500 grant to hire students to assist seniors and other vulnerable groups. The grant includes:
- $2,880 to hire a 30-hour-per-week position (or two 15-hour-per-week positions) for 8 weeks at $12 per hour;
- $432 for mandatory employment-related costs; and
- $188 for incidentals related to the position (e.g., gas allowance, long distance charges).
Applications from employers, including community organizations, are now being accepted.
Nova Scotia
The government introduced the “immediate family bubble”, permitting two households to merge and spend time together without social distancing.
The government also announced the following:
- effective May 15, 2020, beaches are open for walks, paddling and surfing; and
- effective Saturday, May 16, 2020, outdoor activities, such as golfing, can resume.
Finally, the government extended (PDF) the provincial State of Emergency to May 31, 2020.
Ontario
The government published the regulation required to permit the reopening of golf courses and marinas (with restrictions) on May 16, 2020. The regulation can be found here.
Prince Edward Island
The government confirmed that phase 2 of its reopening plan will commence on May 22, 2020, and released its plan for expanded child care.
Quebec
Premier Legault announced that the government is donating 1 million masks to Montreal, and will provide funding of $1-million to transit authorities in the Montreal Metropolitan Community for the purposes of purchasing masks for public transit users.
Saskatchewan
The government announced that the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement Program (PDF) (“STWSP”) is now open for applications.
The STWSP provides a temporary wage supplement to eligible low income workers. The supplement is $400 for each qualifying 4-week period between March 15, 2020 and July 4, 2020 (to a maximum of 4 periods, or 16 weeks).
To be eligible, a worker must:
- earn less than $24.00 per hour at an eligible essential care facility, in the four-week period for which the worker has applied for the STWSP;
- have total gross earnings of less than $2,500, including earnings from work outside an eligible essential care facility, in the four-week period for which the worker has applied for the STWSP; and
- be employed by an eligible essential care facility, such as:
- public and private senior care homes;
- community-based group and personal care homes;
- licensed childcare facilities;
- emergency shelters;
- transition shelters (short stay/emergency, transition housing);
- integrated health care facilities; and
- home care workers providing care to seniors in their own home.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
There were no major government updates in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories or the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on May 15, 2020.
