Below are the key government announcements made on June 9, 2020 that touch on workplace issues.
The Federal Government
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 9, 2020.
Alberta
The government announced that Stage 2 of the Alberta Relaunch Strategy will start on June 12, 2020, permitting the following activities/operations, subject to certain operational restrictions and forthcoming guidance:
- restaurants, cafés, lounges and bars (subject to table size restrictions);
- K-12 schools, for requested diploma exams and summer school;
- libraries;
- additional surgeries;
- wellness services such as massage, acupuncture and reflexology;
- personal services (e.g. esthetics, cosmetic skin and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatment, and artificial tanning);
- indoor recreation, fitness, and sports, including gyms and arenas;
- movie theatres and performance theatres;
- community halls;
- team sports with a maximum number of participants;
- pools for leisure swimming;
- video lottery terminals in restaurants and bars;
- casinos and bingo halls (but not table games);
- worship gatherings; and
- instrumental concerts.
As part of Phase 2, the permitted size of social gatherings will be increased to:
- a maximum of 50 people for indoor gathering; and
- a maximum of 100 people for outdoor gatherings.
In addition, the government announced that it does not intend to extend the state of public health emergency under the Public Health Act, RSA 2000 when it expires on June 15, 2020.
British Columbia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 9, 2020.
Manitoba
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 9, 2020.
New Brunswick
The government announced that provincial courts have fully resumed operations, with certain attendance limitations.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 9, 2020.
Nova Scotia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 9, 2020.
Ontario
The government announced the reopening of childcare centres across the province on June 12, 2020. Effective immediately, workers at childcare faculties can re-enter those facilities to begin to prepare for reopening. A government press release indicates that centres will be required to adopt specific rules similar to those required for emergency childcare centres, including:
- cohorting ― putting children and staff in groups of 10 or less day over day;
- COVID-19 response plan ― all childcare settings will be required to have a plan in place if a child, parent or staff member/provider is exposed to COVID-19;
- screening ― all staff and children must be screened prior to entry to the childcare setting. Anyone feeling unwell must stay home;
- daily attendance records ― childcare settings must keep daily records of all attendees in order to support contact tracing;
- cleaning ― childcare settings must be thoroughly cleaned before opening and frequently thereafter;
- no visitors ― only essential visitors are permitted entry into the childcare setting; and
- implementing drop-off and pick-up protocols in a way that facilitates physical distancing.
Only once the guidelines have been met will a centre be permitted to reopen. Guidelines can be found here. Current emergency child care will wind down effective June 26, 2020.
Prince Edward Island
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 9, 2020.
Quebec
Premier Legault confirmed the government's intention to create a $2.6-billion fund to assist businesses should the National Assembly pass Bill 61. He also announced the construction of new long-term care facilities (CHSLDs) called "Maisons des aînés".
Saskatchewan
The government announced that prekindergarten to Grade 12 schools will resume in-classroom learning as early as September 1, 2020. The Ministry of Education will distribute public health guidelines for the 2020-2021 academic year as early as next week.
The government published The Mineral Tenure Registry Amendment Regulations, 2020, which grant certain relief to the mining sector in response to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including a waiver of certain expenditure requirements.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
There were no major government updates in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 9, 2020.
