Below are the key government announcements made from August 4 through August 9, 2020 that touch on workplace issues. Our previous daily (weekday) and weekend overviews of past government announcements, employment analyses and other COVID-19 information are available here.
The Federal Government
The government announced it is actively negotiating with potential vaccine suppliers, and has entered into agreements with Pfizer and Moderna to secure millions of doses of their respective vaccine candidates for COVID-19, subject to final regulatory approval.
The government published an Order in Council reinstating certain timelines that were suspended under the Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) for the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations regimes.
The Public Health Agency of Canada published health and safety guidance for education sector administrators and local public health authorities responsible for the operation of schools for kindergarten to grade 12.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on August 9, 2020.
British Columbia
The government extended (PDF) the provincial state of emergency to August 18, 2020.
The government introduced (PDF) a regulation under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act protecting essential services, persons performing activities benefitting the community, and businesses from many forms of civil liability for health claims arising from COVID-19.
The government also introduced (PDF) a regulation under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act that continues the ongoing pause on limitation periods for civil and family actions until 90 days after the state of emergency is ended.
The government is conducting a review of layoff and recall rights of unionized hotel workers as a result of COVID-19. The report will be prepared by August 20, 2020.
Translink and BC Transit announced that face masks will be mandatory on public transit effective August 24, 2020, unless riders meet certain exemption requirements.
Manitoba
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on August 9, 2020.
New Brunswick
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on August 9, 2020.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on August 9, 2020.
Nova Scotia
The government renewed (PDF) the provincial State of Emergency.
Ontario
The government announced that the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit would remain in Stage 2 of the province's reopening framework.
Over $230-million in funding was announced by the government, in partnership with the federal government, to support the safe reopening of childcare and early year programs in the province.
In addition, the government announced $83-million for grants for non-profit organizations and announced $1.5-million in investment in the tourism industry to assist with the recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Prince Edward Island
As of September 1, 2020, early learning and child care centres across the province will begin operating at full capacity.
Public schools across the province will return to full-time in-class learning on September 8, 2020, with enhanced health and safety measures.
Quebec
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on August 9, 2020.
Saskatchewan
The government released (PDF) its safe school plan for a return to classroom learning, and announced that it extended the provincial State of Emergency (PDF) effective August 5, 2020.
The Chief Medical Health Officer issued a Public Health Order (PDF), effective August 6, 2020, which aligns with the staged lifting of restrictions under the phased approach of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. Physical distancing measures and other restrictions remain in place.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
In the Yukon, the government announced:
- Whitehorse schools will resume classes on August 20, 2020;
- new guidelines for bars, pubs, lounges and nightclubs, and for child care services are now available; and
- the extension of support for restaurants until November 1, 2020.
In Nunavut, the government announced:
- the extension of the Public Health Emergency until August 20, 2020; and
- that government offices will reopen to the public on August 10, 2020.
In the Northwest Territories, the Public Health Emergency was extended until August 18, 2020.
