Below are the key government announcements made on June 23, 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 changes to the Canada Labour Standards Regulations which temporarily extend the permitted temporary layoff period for federally regulated employees laid off due to the pandemic. According to a government press release, the amendments temporarily extend these time periods by up to 6 months as follows:
- for employees laid off prior to March 31, 2020, the permissible time period is extended by 6 months or to December 30, 2020, whichever occurs first; and
- for employees laid off between March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2020, the time period is extended until December 30, 2020, unless a later recall date was provided in a written notice at the time of the layoff.
These changes, which came into effect on June 22, 2020, do not apply to employees who are covered by a collective agreement that contains recall rights.
These changes also do not apply to employees whose employment had already been terminated prior to the coming into force of the amendments.
More information is available here. The amended regulations were not yet available as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
British Columbia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
Manitoba
The government announced the Manitoba Job Restart Program. The Program will provide direct payments of $500 per week to a maximum of $2,000 to help qualified individuals return to work.
Eligible employees must:
- actively return to work with one or more eligible employers in Manitoba,
- anticipate that they will work at least 30 hours per week;
- after the first week, complete a simple declaration for each week to certify that they are still working at least 30 hours per week;
- stop receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, Canada Emergency Student Benefit, or similar COVID-19 related support from the Government of Canada;
- follow the provincial COVID-19 health guidelines in the workplace; and
- be legally entitled to work in Canada and permanently reside in Manitoba.
The Program will be funded by the Manitoba Government and does not require any contributions from employers. The amounts received from the Program will be a taxable benefit for employees.
Full details about the Program, including eligibility requirements, are available here. Applications for the Program will be accepted from June 26 to July 31, 2020.
New Brunswick
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
Nova Scotia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
Ontario
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
Prince Edward Island
The government confirmed Phase 4 of Renew PEI Together plan will commence on June 26, 2020. This will include the following:
- organized gatherings of up to 50 people (e.g. worship services, weddings, funerals, organized sports, day camps);
- personal gatherings of no more than 15 people indoors and 20 people outdoors;
- long-term care visitation of up to 2 individuals per resident at one time;
- the reopening of additional businesses providing personal services (e.g. facials, piercings, etc.);
- childcare centres can welcome additional children, up to a specified maximum;
- all non-urgent health care services will resume.
Quebec
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
Saskatchewan
The government published (PDF) The Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement Program Amendment Regulations, 2020. The regulations expand the support being provided to workers and facilities that continue to provide care services to vulnerable citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes lower income workers employed in assisted living facilities, and workers employed in licensed public or private long-term care facilities which are under public health orders restricting visitations.
The government announced that the second part of phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan will begin on June 29, 2020. As of that date, libraries, museums, galleries, movie theatres, and live theatres will be able to re-open. The re-opening dates for the other activities in the second part of phase 4 (e.g. indoor pools, indoor rinks, indoor sports and activities, casinos and bingo halls) will be announced over the next two weeks.
The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan (PDF) has been updated with guidelines governing the following:
- libraries;
- museums;
- galleries;
- movie and live theatres;
- parks and campgrounds;
- outdoor sports and activities;
- usage of non-medical masks; and
- locker rooms, showers and change rooms.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
There were no major government updates in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories or the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 23, 2020.
