As Ontario prepares to reopen the economy, the province is providing employers with safety guidelines to protect workers, customers, and the general public from COVID-19. The guidelines provide practical recommendations so that employers reopen in a safe and responsible way. Continue Reading Ontario Releases Safety Guidelines for Reopening to Protect Public from COVID-19
On April 25, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it is providing frontline staff with a temporary pandemic payment. The payment compensates frontline workers for dedication, long hours, and increased risk while working to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
What does the payment include?
Eligible workers will receive an increase of four dollars per hour worked on top of existing hourly wages, regardless of the qualified employee’s hourly wage. In addition, employees working over 100 hours per month will receive lump sum payments of $250 per month.
Which workplaces are eligible?
Eligible workers include staff in:
On April 28, 2020, the provincial government clarified that the payment also applies to respiratory therapists, mental health and addictions workers in hospitals and congregate care settings, public health nurses and paramedics.
The payment is designed to apply to frontline employees, and does not apply to management.
How long does the payment last?
The temporary payment begins immediately, and continues from April 24, 2020 until August 13, 2020.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Please contact your Baker McKenzie lawyers (above) for more information.
You can also access our Coronavirus Resource Center for information on the impact of this situation on your business and what you can do to manage these risks. It covers areas of immediate concerns such as employer obligations, contract issues, supply chain disruption, financing and force majeure, as well as more forward looking issues such as practical impact on transactions and IPO activity.
This is an update to our recent blog post summarizing the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”). You can find the first part of our post, which summarizes the government’s original announcement, here.
On April 11, 2020, the federal government passed Bill C-14, amending the Income Tax Act to create the CEWS. The subsidy provides financial support to eligible employers for wages paid to eligible employees for the period from March 15, 2020 to June 6, 2020 (divided into three qualifying periods), subject to a possible extension up to September 30, 2020.
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Q: How does the program work?
A: For each qualifying period, an eligible employer can claim, from the government, a capped wage subsidy for remuneration paid to each eligible employee.
Continue Reading Federal Government Creates Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
On April 1, 2020, the Canadian government provided further details about its plan to help Canadian employers by providing a 3-month, 75% wage subsidy, retroactive to March 15, 2020.
Parliament will likely soon be recalled to consider, debate, and pass legislation to create the wage subsidy program. For now, the preliminary plan for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy is as follows:
Continue Reading Federal Government Plans to Create Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
All Canadian provinces have adopted emergency measures requiring the closure of non-essential businesses, and today the Ontario government revised its list of “essential businesses”. To help you keep up with these changes, we have provided a chart below that includes a hyperlink to the current essential service list in each province, and lists the potential penalties for failure to comply in each jurisdiction. Continue Reading Non-Essential Business Shutdowns Across Canada
This is an update to our recent blog post summarizing the measures the federal government has implemented to assist Canadian employers and employees. You can find the first part of our post here.
On March 24, 2020, Canada passed Bill C-13. It introduces and implements measures by the federal government to provide financial assistance to employers and employees across the country. Continue Reading Federal Government’s Act (C-13) to Provide Financial Assistance to Employers and Employees
On March 23, 2020, both Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Quebec Premier François Legault announced a major development in the management of the COVID-19 crisis in each of their provinces: the immediate shut down of all non-essential services , effective Tuesday March 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The Ontario shutdown is for at least two weeks, while Quebec’s shutdown is for at least three weeks. Continue Reading Ontario and Quebec Order Non-Essential Business Shutdowns
Earlier this week, the Ontario government announced its intention to introduce legislation to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”), to provide job-protected leave to all employees impacted by COVID-19. Continue Reading Ontario Passes Bill 186 Introducing New Job-Protected Leaves Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
To navigate the most-pressing issues facing multinational employers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 Global Employer Guide offers jurisdiction-specific guidance across 41 countries.
Download the Guide now to read the latest employment law guidance on issues including: legal requirements, practical and operational considerations, and emerging government regulation related to the outbreak.
For more information on the virus’ multidisciplinary business and legal implications for your company, visit Baker McKenzie’s Coronavirus Resource Center and contact your Baker McKenzie relationship partner.
UPDATE: March 18, 2020
On March 18, 2020, the Canadian and US governments announced that the Canada-US border will be closing to all non-essential travel between Canada and the USA, such as travel for tourism or recreation. These border restrictions will take effect within “hours or days”. Both governments have indicated that today’s announcement is not intended to restrict commerce and trade. Cross-border entry will continue to be permitted to maintain essential services and supply chain processes. This includes workers who are traveling to provide essential goods and services, such as truck drivers and healthcare workers. Continue Reading Canada and US Governments Close Border to Non-Essential Travel
