Below are the key government announcements made on July 17-19, 2020 that touch on workplace issues.
The Federal Government
On July 17, 2020, the government announced a number of proposed changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (the "CEWS") following its recent consultations with business and labour representatives.
According to the government press release, the proposed changes in the draft legislative proposals would:
- Extend the CEWS until December 19, 2020, including with redesigned program details until November 21, 2020;
- Make the subsidy accessible to a broader range of employers by including employers with a revenue decline of less than 30 per cent and providing a gradually decreasing base subsidy to all qualifying employers;
- Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25 per cent for employers that have been most adversely affected by the pandemic;
- Provide certainty to employers that have already made business decisions for July and August by ensuring they would not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have had under the previous rules; and
- Address certain technical issues identified by stakeholders.
In order to implement these measures, the government intends to introduce legislation to be considered by Parliament, and has shared draft legislative proposals, which are available here.
More information on the consultations with stakeholders and proposed changes is available here.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
British Columbia
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
Manitoba
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
New Brunswick
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The provincial government extended the deadline for employers to submit applications under the Newfoundland and Labrador COVID-19 Essential Worker Support Program to August 20, 2020. The extension is in recognition of the high volume of requests received to date.
The Program, which is cost-shared with the federal government, will provide a one-time payment to eligible individuals who work in professions included in the Government of Canada's "Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic" document.
Nova Scotia
The province announced that it will be mandatory to wear a non-medical mask on public transportation beginning on July 24, 2020, subject to certain exceptions.
Ontario
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
Prince Edward Island
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
Quebec
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
Saskatchewan
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In the Northwest Territories, the Chief Public Health Officer amended the travel restriction and self-isolation protocols for resident supply-chain workers, and resident flight crews and airline employees. A summary of the amendments is available online.
There were no major government updates in Nunavut or the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 19, 2020.
