A number of changes have been announced in light of the current pandemic for Alberta employers to take note of. Most notably is the extension to the maximum time allowed for temporary layoffs in the absence of an agreement between an employee/employer. In particular, the original maximum layoff period of 60 days has been extended...
The British Columbia Government has released a Ministerial Order, listing what it deems an essential service. It is important to note that this order does not mean that non-essential businesses must close. The order provides that the essential service providers cannot be held liable for COVID-19 related damages during a state of emergency, unless the...
The Ontario Government has released a revised, shorter, list of businesses/workplaces that it has deemed to be ‘essential’ and therefore many businesses that were ‘essential’ previously are no longer considered as such and therefore must be closed as of this past Saturday at midnight. The revised list notably impacts those in construction. Here is the...
We know that a lot of our clients are interested in the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Federal Government has just released additional information about the program, which can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/government-announces-details-of-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy-to-help-businesses-keep-canadians-in-their-jobs.html The above referenced press release highlights details related to eligibility, amount of subsidy, the length of the program, and other...
On March 25, 2020 the federal government passed Bill C-13, An Act Respecting Certain Measures in Response to COVID-19. The Bill includes the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) which is in essence a combination of the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit. The CERB provides for a taxable benefit of $2,000...
B.C.’s COVID-19 Action Plan builds on the federal government’s COVID-19 economic plan and boosts supports for British Columbians who are worried about paying their bills and staying afloat. A new B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide a tax-free $1,000 payment to British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected by the outbreak. The...
EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE – TEMPORARY LAYOFF Employees are eligible for regular EI Most typically a minimum of 700 insurable hours required Employer to provide a ROE 1 week waiting period 55% of weekly earnings up to a maximum of $573 per week EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE – TEMPORARY LAYOFF – EMPLOYER TOP UP Employer top up payments are...
Ontario has introduced Bill 186, the Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020, which amends the leaves of absence provisions of the Employment Standards Act, 2000. The new Bill creates a new leave called Emergency Leave: Declared Emergencies and Infectious Disease Emergencies. The leave that is particularly relevant for COVID-19 purposes is the second...
The Alberta government has announced that financial relief will be available for certain workers who are unable to work due to self-isolation. The government will provide eligible recipients with $573 per week for a maximum of two (2) weeks to bridge the gap until the newly announced federal Emergency Care Benefit takes effect in April...
In addition to some corporate tax changes and utility payment deferrals meant to help employers, Alberta has amended its Employment Standards Code to provide employees with a job protected leave related to COVID-19. In particular, full-time and part-time employees will be entitled to 14 days of job protected leave if they are: Required to self-isolate...