Below are the key government announcements made on June 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 that as of June 19, 2020, applications will be accepted for the Canada Emergency Business Account under expanded eligibility rules.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 15, 2020.
British Columbia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 15, 2020.
Manitoba
The government announced that the province-wide State of Emergency has been extended for an additional 30 days as of June 15, 2020.
New Brunswick
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 15, 2020.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The government released details on the Newfoundland and Labrador COVID-19 Essential Worker Support Program, which will provide a one-time payment to eligible individuals who work in professions included in the Government of Canada's "Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic" document. Details include:
- employers can apply beginning on July 6, 2020. The application deadline is July 30, 2020;
- employers will begin to receive payments in July 2020. These payments will then be provided to employees as part of their regular payroll remittance;
- the government will provide an additional 10% of the eligible amount to employers to offset related payroll costs associated with the payments;
- recipients of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit are not eligible.
The Minister of Service announced temporary amendments to the timelines for annual meetings and tax return filings under the Corporations Act.
Nova Scotia
The government extended (PDF) the provincial State of Emergency until June 28, 2020.
The government also issued an Order (PDF) lifting restrictions on provincial and municipal parks and beaches. Parks and beaches are open to the public, subject to physical distancing requirements.
Ontario
The government announced that certain additional regions in the province will begin Stage 2 of the province's reopening plan, commencing June 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. E.D.T. With those additions, only the following public health regions will remain in Stage 1:
- Peel Public Health;
- Toronto Public Health; and
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
The government published a new Order requiring businesses and organizations that are reopening to:
- operate in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related regulations;
- operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including with respect to physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting;
- where open to the public, ensure that members of the public maintain a physical distance of at least 2-metres from other persons (except persons who have arrived at the business/facility together); and
- ensure that any washrooms available to the public are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary environment.
The Order also includes sector specific compliance requirements and conditions for reopening.
The government also announced that it is proposing a regulatory change to require the reporting of data on race, income, language and household size for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. According to a government press release, these changes will allow for more complete data collection.
Prince Edward Island
The government extended:
- the provincial state of public health emergency (PDF) for an additional period of 30 days, effective June 15, 2020; and
- the provincial State of Emergency until June 28, 2020.
Quebec
The public health authority announced that as of June 22, 2020:
- indoor public gatherings of up to 50 people will be permitted. Though 2-metre distancing will be generally expected, in places where individuals remain seated, such as CÉGEP and university classrooms and in cinemas, physical distancing of 1.5-metres will be permitted;
- physical distancing rules required amongst those 16 years of age and under will be reduced to 1-metre, including in day cares, schools and camps.
Saskatchewan
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 15, 2020.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In Nunavut, the government announced the following information on the next phases of its reopening plan:
- on June 22, 2020, the following will be permitted to reopen:
- personal service providers (e.g. hairdressers) for one-on-one sessions;
- bars and restaurants, at half capacity;
- theatres; and
- on June 29, 2020, youth centres and day camps will be permitted to reopen.
In the Northwest Territories, the government implemented a new system at the Fort Smith border. Residents of the Territory and of Alberta may apply to obtain an access pass.
There were no major government updates in the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 15, 2020.
