Below are the key government announcements made on June 20 and 21, 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 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 16, 2020, the 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.
Alberta
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 18, 2020, the government introduced Bill 24, the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act which proposes changes to the Employment Standards Code, among other things.
British Columbia
The government announced that businesses in mining, forestry and other eligible industries may defer BC Hydro payments until the end of August 2020. Repayment is to be made within the following 9 months, and is subject to interest.
ICYMI: There were no major government announcements from June 15 through 19, 2020.
Manitoba
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 17, 2020, the government announced the final details for Phase Three of its reopening plan.
New Brunswick
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 19, 2020, the government announced that all regions except the Campbellton Region (Zone 5) moved into the next phase of the Yellow level of New Brunswick's COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
Newfoundland and Labrador
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 17, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer of Health announced that the province will move to Alert Level 2 on June 25, 2020.
Nova Scotia
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 15, 2020, the government extended the provincial State of Emergency until June 28, 2020.
Ontario
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 19, 2020, the government announced the release of a safety plan for the 2020-21 school year.
Prince Edward Island
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 18, 2020 the government enacted Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act (No.3).
Quebec
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 16, 2020, the government unveiled its plan to reopen schools at 100% capacity for the upcoming school year.
Saskatchewan
The Chief Medical Health Officer issued a Public Health Order, effective June 22, 2020, which includes the following Phase 4 aspects in line with the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan:
• indoor public and private gatherings are limited to no more than 30 people and outdoor public and private gatherings are limited to no more than 30 people, except in the following circumstances where 2-meter distancing can be maintained:
- people are distributed into multiple rooms or buildings, and workplaces; and
- critical public services or an allowable business services;
• all critical public services or allowable businesses 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 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.
ICYMI: On June 18, 2020, 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.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In the Yukon, the government announced that full dental services will be able to resume their services, restaurants will be able to operate at 100% capacity and outdoor gatherings can include up to 50 people as of July 1, 2020.
There were no major government updates in the Northwest Territories, or Nunavut as of 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 21, 2020.
ICYMI: On June 15, 2020, in Nunavut, the government announced significant information on the next phases of its reopening plan. On June 18, 2020, in the Yukon, the government published guidelines for the operation of fitness centres and gyms and public recreation centres. On June 19, 2020, in the Northwest Territories, the government announced that exits will now be permitted twice a week on Highway 7.
