Below are the key government announcements made on July 11 and 12, 2020 that touch on workplace issues. We also summarize "in case you missed it" ("ICYMI") stories from the previous week.
The Federal Government
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 10, 2020,the government announced $30-million in funding to offset the costs of COVID-19 safety measures for small and medium-sized enterprises in the forest sector, including tree planting operations.
Alberta
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 7, 2020, the government introduced Bill 32, the Restoring Balance in Alberta's Workplaces Act. If passed, the Act would make significant changes to both the Employment Standards Code and the Labour Relations Code.
British Columbia
The COVID-19 Related Measures Act was brought into force by regulation (PDF) on July 10, 2020. The Act allows certain emergency orders in response to the pandemic to be extended past the end of the provincial State of Emergency by either 45 or 90 days. The Act also provides powers to the government to take certain emergency actions in the event of a second wave of COVID-19.
ICYMI: On July 6, 2020, the government announced that the temporary COVID-19 Crisis Supplement for eligible income and disability assistance recipients will be extended to the end of August 2020.
Manitoba
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: There were no major government updates from July 6 through July 10, 2020.
New Brunswick
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: The government announced that the provincial State of Emergency was extended on July 9, 2020.
Newfoundland and Labrador
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 8, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer of Health amended the Special Measures Order (General Alert Level 2) to clarify the requirements applicable to bars.
Nova Scotia
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 10, 2020, the government extended the State of Emergency until July 26, 2020.
Ontario
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 7, 2020, the government announced proposed legislation that, if passed, would ensure certain emergency measures continue once the provincial declaration of emergency has ended.
Prince Edward Island
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 10, 2020, the government announced that a new COVID-19 testing site for essential workers would open in Borden on July 13, 2020.
Quebec
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 8, 2020, the government launched a public consultation on a proposed mobile phone COVID-19 tracing application (or "app").
Saskatchewan
No major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 9, 2020, the government announced that seating areas are now permitted at drive-in theatres, as well as public and farmers markets, and effective July 16, 2020, live performances will be permitted in restaurants, licensed establishments and at public and farmers markets.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In the Northwest Territories, the government released (PDF) the results of its survey on the economic impact of COVID-19 on tourism and business in the Territory.
There were no major government updates in Nunavut or the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. EDT on July 12, 2020.
ICYMI: On July 7, 2020, in the Northwest Territories, the government extended the Public Health Emergency but announced that it was not extending the State of Emergency which expired on July 8, 2020. On July 8, 2020, in Nunavut, the government issued new guidelines for non-residents wishing to enter the Territory for economic activities (e.g. prospecting or mineral exploration, academic research, lodge or cabin maintenance). On July 10, 2020, in the Yukon, the government released its preliminary operational and learning plan for the 2020-21 school year.
