Below are the key government announcements made on June 13 and 14, 2020 that touch on workplace issues. We also summarize "in case you missed it" ("ICYMI") stories from the previous week. 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 June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 10, 2020, the government introduced Bill C-17 in the House of Commons, which will, if passed, enact certain changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, among other things.
Alberta
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 10, 2020, the government announced its re-entry plan for the 2020-21 school year.
British Columbia
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 10, 2020, the government extended the provincial State of Emergency until June 23, 2020.
Manitoba
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 11, 2020, the government released a draft of Phase 3 of its reopening plan, tentatively scheduled for implementation on June 21, 2020.
New Brunswick
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 9, 2020, the government announced that provincial courts have fully resumed operations, with certain attendance limitations.
Newfoundland and Labrador
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 12, 2020, the government announced temporary amendments to the Labour Standards Act, including with respect to temporary layoffs.
Nova Scotia
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 11, 2020, the government announced incubator funding agreements to help start-up companies emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario
The government announced the easing of restrictions on wedding and funeral ceremonies, effective June 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. According to a government press release, the government:
- is increasing the number of people permitted to attend an indoor wedding or funeral ceremony to a maximum of 30% capacity of the venue capacity; and
- is increasing the number of people permitted to attend an outdoor ceremony to a maximum of 50 people.
The maximum number of people permitted to attend a wedding or funeral reception will remain at 10 people.
ICYMI: On June 9, 2020, the government announced the reopening of childcare centres across the province on June 12, 2020.
Prince Edward Island
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 12, 2020, the Chief Health Officer announced that Phase 4 of the Renew PEI Together plan will start on June 26, 2020.
Quebec
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 8, 2020, the government announced a timeline for the reopening of restaurants across the province.
Saskatchewan
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 14, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 10, 2020, the government announced the extension of the provincial State of Emergency.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In the Yukon, the territorial State of Emergency has been extended until September 9, 2020.
In the Northwest Territories, the government announced the start of Relaxing Phase 2 of its reopening plan and issued Public Health Order – COVID-19 Relaxing Phase 2 (PDF - the "Order") which includes the following measures and restrictions:
- curling rinks, gymnastics clubs and indoor theatres must remain closed to members of the public;
- other businesses and facilities are allowed to open provided that they:
- have no more than 25 persons in any indoor location and no more than 50 persons in any outdoor location, with the exception of listed essential businesses; and
- comply with their obligations under section 88 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (PDF) made pursuant to the Safety Act (PDF), to develop and implement an exposure control plan to eliminate or minimize worker exposure to COVID-19. Employers operating businesses and facilities must complete a WSCC Workplace Risk Assessment (PDF) and make the completed form readily available on request from a Public Health Official. Employers must also require their workers to complete a WSCC Field Level Risk Assessment (PDF) before beginning work at any work site.
The Order provides further business and facility-specific requirements and restrictions.
The government also updated its Public Health Order – COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Self-Isolation Protocol (PDF). Under the amended travel restrictions (PDF), workers coming to the Territory for short-term contracts are permitted entry provided that they have a pre-approved Worker Self Isolation Plan.
The Northwest Territories and Nunavut agreed to form a two-Territory travel bubble in order to allow their residents to travel between both Territories without having to self-isolate.
ICYMI: On June 8, 2020, in Nunavut, the government confirmed that all travellers (with some exemptions) must stay at a designated facility for a 14-day isolation period prior to entering the Territory. On June 10, 2020, in the Yukon, the government announced that in-person classes for kindergarten to Grade 12 will resume at the start of the 2020-21 school year. In the Northwest Territories, the Public Health Emergency and the State of Emergency were both extended until June 23, 2020.
