Below are the key government announcements made on July 13, 2020 that touch on workplace issues.
The Federal Government
On July 12, 2020, the government filed Interim Order No. 5 Amending the Employment Insurance Act (Employment Insurance Emergency Response Benefit). This order implements the previously announced extension of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for qualifying individuals from 16 to 24 weeks.
The government also announced an intention to extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until December 2020. More details on the extension are expected this week.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
British Columbia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
Manitoba
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
New Brunswick
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
Nova Scotia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
Ontario
The government announced that Stage 3 of the province's reopening framework would commence at 12:01 a.m. on July 17, 2020 in specific regions, with nearly all businesses and public spaces permitted to reopen with public health and safety measures in place. According to a government press release, the following high-risk places and activities will not be permitted to reopen:
- amusement parks and water parks;
- buffet-style food services;
- dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
- overnight stays at camps for children;
- private karaoke rooms;
- prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
- saunas, steam rooms, bath houses, and oxygen bars; and
- table games at casinos and gaming establishments.
For regions permitted to enter Stage 3, the province will increase gathering limits as follows, subject to physical distancing requirements:
- indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people; and
- outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people.
Effective July 17, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., all public health unit regions in Ontario will be permitted to enter Stage 3, except the following regions, which will remain in Stage 2:
- Durham Region Health Department;
- Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit;
- Halton Region Public Health;
- Hamilton Public Health Services;
- Lambton Public Health;
- Niagara Region Public Health;
- Peel Public Health;
- Toronto Public Health;
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit; and
- York Region Public Health.
The details of the Stage 3 framework are available here (PDF). Information about the Stage 3 status of each region will be available here. No regulations regarding Stage 3 were publicly available as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
Prince Edward Island
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
Quebec
Premier Legault announced that wearing a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces will be required as of July 18, 2020, and in particular will be required in:
- retail stores;
- private professional offices;
- colleges and universities (except classrooms);
- malls and shopping centres;
- gymnasiums;
- cinemas;
- event spaces;
- common areas of office buildings;
- public transport;
- restaurants (until seated); and
- any other enclosed public space.
The requirement will apply to those 12 years of age and older. For children from 2 to 12 years old, a mask or face covering is highly recommended. Individuals with a medical condition that precludes them from wearing a mask or face covering will be exempt from the requirement.
Business owners will be responsible for enforcing this new rule, with fines ranging from $400 to $6,000. Business owners are to call the police in the event that a customer refuses to comply with this new rule. As of August 1, 2020 the government may introduce fines for individuals who refuse to wear masks.
Finally, Premier Legault indicated that bars may be subject to closure again if the provincial COVID-19 situation deteriorates.
Saskatchewan
The government announced that COVID-19 testing will be available to anyone on request and regardless of whether they have symptoms, beginning July 14, 2020.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In Nunavut, the government announced that it will be easing restrictions by:
- allowing licensed establishments to open with regular hours, effective July 20, 2020; and
- extending the Territory's permissible common travel area to include Churchill, Manitoba.
There were no major government updates in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 13, 2020.
