Below are the key government announcements made on June 16, 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
Prime Minister Trudeau announced the extension of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit by 8 weeks, making the benefit available to eligible workers for up to a total of 24 weeks.
The Prime Minister also announced the extension of Canada-United States border restrictions for non-essential travel for an additional 30 days until July 21, 2020.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 16, 2020.
British Columbia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 16, 2020.
Manitoba
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 16, 2020.
New Brunswick
The government announced that day and overnight camp operators must prepare an operational plan that meets Public Health guidance (PDF).
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Chief Medical Officer of Health extended (PDF) the provincial public health emergency for a period of 14 days, effective June 16, 2020.
Nova Scotia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 16, 2020.
Ontario
The government announced a new workplace guide to assist employers and businesses develop safety plans to protect workers, customers and clients. According to a government press release, the guide will help employers:
- "Identify the risks for transmitting the virus through person-to-person contact and actions such as touching faces with hands that have been contaminated by contact with surfaces and objects;
- Determine what controls are needed to help mitigate risk, such as engineering controls like the installation of plexiglass to separate workers from customers, administrative controls limiting the number of workers in a space at one time, and personal protective equipment including face and eye protection;
- Create a workplace safety plan based on the identified risks and appropriate controls specific to the employer's workplace;
- Implement the plan in the workplace, and review and update it as the situation evolves; and
- Communicate the actions being taken to workers and other people entering the workplace."
Prince Edward Island
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 16, 2020.
Quebec
The government unveiled its plan to reopen schools at 100% capacity for the upcoming school year, and provided the following details:
- for preschool, primary and secondary school:
- masks will be required for preschool teachers, those working with students with disabilities or those who must come in close contact with a student;
- preschool, elementary and secondary 1, 2 and 3 classes will be organized in sub-groups of 6 students or less. A 1-metre distance between sub-groups of students and 2-metres between students and staff, and between staff and other staff, will be required. Teachers will move between classes, while the students will stay in the same room; and
- secondary 4 and 5 students will either have scheduled closed class groups for their mandatory and elective courses, or will have class groups attending school on alternating days. Online learning and homework will be part of the curriculum.
- for general adult education and professional training, where social distancing is not possible, students and teachers must be provided with personal protective equipment;
- all schools must have an emergency protocol to deal with COVID-19 scenarios before the school year starts;
- school sports will be subject to the rules provided by applicable sports federations; and
- with respect to transportation to and from school, parents are encouraged to provide their children with transportation. Where students rely on school transportation (i.e. buses), a 1-metre distance between students will be required.
Saskatchewan
The Chief Medical Health Officer issued a Public Health Order (PDF), which includes the following:
- indoor public and private gatherings are limited to 15 people and outdoor public and private gatherings are limited to 30 people, except when:
- people are in multiple rooms or buildings, and workplaces;
- they are operating a critical public service or an allowable business service; and
- 2-metre distancing can be maintained.
- all critical public services or allowable businesses (PDF) permitted to operate must do so in accordance with any restrictions applicable to their region;
- businesses that are not a critical public service or an allowable business (PDF) must remain closed, but may make sales online;
- any events and activities provided under the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan must comply with any applicable guideline in the plan; and
- physical distancing measures and other restrictions remain in place.
The government announced that the first part of Phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is scheduled to commence on June 22, 2020. New permissible activities/operations in the first part of Phase 4 include:
- child and youth day camps;
- outdoor pools and splash pads; and
- outdoor sports and activities.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
There were no major government updates in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 16, 2020.
