Below are the key government announcements made on June 18, 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
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 18, 2020.
Alberta
The government introduced Bill 24, the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act (PDF) which proposes changes to the Employment Standards Code, among other things. Proposed changes include:
- the extension of the unpaid COVID-19 job-protected leave for care of a child due to school or daycare closures or to care for an ill or self-isolating family member, to August 2021; and
- the extension of the permissible temporary layoff period from 120 days to 180 days for employees who have been temporarily laid off for reasons related to COVID-19.
British Columbia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 18, 2020.
Manitoba
The government announced the Back to Work this Summer program to provide eligible employers with funding to hire or rehire up to five employees after June 18, 2020. The program will reimburse 50% of the total wages paid to employees from June 18 to August 30, 2020, up to a maximum of $5,000 per worker and $25,000 per business. The application process opens next week. Charities, not-for-profit organizations, and public-sector employers are not eligible.
New Brunswick
The government announced that the Public Health caution against non-essential travel to and from the Campbellton region (Zone 5) has been lifted.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 18, 2020.
Nova Scotia
The government announced that:
- individuals can now gather in groups of up to 10 people without physical distancing. It is strongly encouraged to maintain a consistent group of people;
- gatherings of up to 50 people will now be allowed, if people observe physical distancing of 2-metres or 6-feet;
- businesses that are too small to ensure physical distancing can have no more than 10 people on their premises at a time; and
- playgrounds can reopen.
Ontario
The government published the required regulations (here and here) expanding the regions moving to Stage 2 of the provincial reopening plan effective June 19, 2020. The requirements for all regions in Stage 2 are available in the regulation published here.
The government also announced enhancements to contact tracing through a new app called COVID Alert.
Prince Edward Island
The government presented its 2020-21 budget, which includes many COVID-19 financial recovery initiatives, including a Small Business Tax Reduction.
Quebec
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 18, 2020.
Saskatchewan
The government announced the Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy program to help businesses train employees to enhance safety protocols and adjust business models as they re-open.
The program will reimburse eligible private-sector employers for 100% of employee training costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per business to support their safe re-opening. The application deadline is July 31, 2020.
To be eligible, employers must be on the list of critical public services and allowable businesses during the emergency period, or be eligible to resume operations in a confirmed phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. Publicly funded organizations (e.g. health regions, post-secondary training institutions, public libraries, municipalities and school divisions) are not eligible.
A detailed program overview can be viewed here (PDF), FAQs can be viewed here (PDF), and the application form can be viewed here.
The government also published (PDF) the Primary and Secondary Educational Institution Guidelines for the resumption of classroom learning in September 2020.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In the Northwest Territories, the government confirmed that all schools have submitted plans for approval to reopen for the 2020-21 school year. In addition, the Business Development and Investment Corporation ("BDIC") announced that it is extending its payment deferral or reduction initiative until September 24, 2020. To reduce or defer up to three months of BDIC loan payments without penalty or additional interest charges, businesses need to apply online and will be approved without being required to show financial losses or hardship resulting from COVID-19.
In the Yukon, the government published guidelines for the operation of fitness centres and gyms and public recreation centres.
There were no major government updates in Nunavut as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 18, 2020.
