Below are the key government announcements made on June 25, 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 the Canada Student Service Grant ("CSSG") to support post-secondary students and recent graduates as they volunteer in response to COVID-19. The CSSG will provide these volunteers with a one-time payment of between $1,000 and $5,000 based on the number of hours they serve.
The government also announced additional support for students, as well as new opportunities to gain paid work experience, including the creation of new job placements and internships.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 25, 2020.
British Columbia
The government announced that the temporary layoff provisions under the Employment Standards Act ("ESA") will be extended to 24 weeks, expiring on August 30, 2020. This is an extension from the ESA's current limitation of 16 weeks. Layoffs which exceed the maximum duration are deemed to terminate the employment relationship.
No proposed legislation or Order on the temporary layoff extension was published as of 5 p.m. E.D.T.
Manitoba
The government released a planning framework for the resumption of in-class learning in September 2020. The framework provides guidance on three public health scenarios:
- in-class learning with near-normal conditions;
- in-class learning, taking additional public health measures into consideration; and
- remote learning from home, with limited use of school facilities.
The full details of the framework are available here.
The government will provide final confirmation of its in-class learning plan by August 1, 2020.
New Brunswick
The government renewed the provincial State of Emergency.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 25, 2020.
Nova Scotia
The government announced that some provincial museums will open July 1, 2020, subject to health and safety restrictions. A list of the museums eligible to open can be found here.
Ontario
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 25, 2020.
Prince Edward Island
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 25, 2020.
Quebec
The government announced that as of June 25, 2020, establishments in all sectors will be able to reopen, with the exception of establishments engaged in the following:
- festivals;
- sporting fights; and
- overnight summer camps.
This phase of reopening is subject to certain guidelines, including:
- teleworking continue wherever possible;
- common kitchen areas remain closed in tourist accommodations;
- all customers in bars must be seated, and no dancing is permitted; and
- continued adherence to physical distancing (2-metres) and sector-specific conditions previously announced.
The government announced that it is decreasing the frequency of its COVID-19 updates to a single weekly update, with the next update to be delivered on July 2, 2020.
Saskatchewan
The government announced the extension of the provincial State of Emergency, effective June 24, 2020.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In the Yukon, the government announced that as of July 1, 2020:
- residents of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut will be permitted to enter into the Territory without self-isolating; and
- pools can reopen and non-food vendors can return to farmers' markets.
There were no major government updates in Nunavut or the Northwest Territories as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 25, 2020.
