Below are the key government announcements made on June 1, 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 1, 2020.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 1, 2020.
British Columbia
The government issued an Order (PDF) which limits the ability of landlords to evict employer or commercial tenants. Eligible businesses whose landlords did not apply for the federal Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance ("CECRA") program will be protected from evictions until the province's State of Emergency expires or the CECRA program expires, whichever is earlier.
Manitoba
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 1, 2020.
New Brunswick
The government announced the following activities will be permitted as of June 5, 2020:
- outdoor public gatherings of 50 or fewer people;
- indoor religious services (including weddings and funerals) of 50 people or fewer; and
- low-contact team sports.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 1, 2020.
Nova Scotia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 1, 2020.
Ontario
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 1, 2020.
Prince Edward Island
Phase 3 of the Renew PEI, Together plan commenced, with the reopening of provincial parks (day use) and libraries, along with the extension of the hours of operation of liquor stores.
Quebec
The Premier and Minister of Culture and Communication announced a $400-million financial assistance program for stakeholders in the cultural sector, including those in the theatre, film, television, literature, circus, dance, music, performance arts, festival and events, and fine craft industries.
The government also announced the resumption of activities in the audiovisual production sector (e.g. filming, pre-production and post production) as of June 8, 2020, subject to public health restrictions. The government expects to have details on the reopening of other parts of the cultural sector in the coming weeks.
Saskatchewan
The government announced that testing criteria for COVID-19 will be expanded on June 5, 2020 to include:
- those being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers; and
- immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.
Anyone working outside the home, or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, remains eligible for testing.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In Nunavut, the government started to implement its reopening plan (PDF). As of June 1, 2020, day cares, territorial parks, and playgrounds are permitted to reopen, the size limit for outdoor gatherings has increased to 25 individuals, and in-Territory travel advisories are lifted. The expected next phases of the reopening of Nunavut are:
- on June 8, 2020:
- reopening workplaces and retail outlets, provided that safety measures are in place;
- reopening galleries, museums, and libraries for individual viewing and browsing only; and
- increasing in-person health assessments at health centres across the Territory;
and
- on June 15, 2020:
- reopening dental clinics and physiotherapy clinics;
- permitting massage therapy and chiropractic treatments; and
- reopening gyms and pools for individual activities.
In the Northwest Territories, the government announced support for businesses interested in manufacturing personal protective equipment and non-medical masks through the Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) program.
There were no major government updates in the Yukon of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 1, 2020.
