Articles
April 2, 2020 || by Alexander Kowal || Articles ||
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...
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March 26, 2020 || by Stuart Ducoffe || Articles ||
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...
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March 24, 2020 || by Stuart Ducoffe || Articles ||
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...
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March 20, 2020 || by Stuart Ducoffe || Articles ||
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...
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March 20, 2020 || by Alexander Kowal || Articles ||
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...
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March 20, 2020 || by Alexander Kowal || Articles ||
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...
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March 19, 2020 || by Alexander Kowal || Articles ||
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...
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March 13, 2020 || by Stuart Ducoffe || Articles ||
Now that the schools in Ontario are closed post March Break for two weeks and the likelihood other provinces will adopt a similar approach, employers need to be prepared for innumerable requests from parents to work remotely, reduce working hours, or miss work altogether to permit them to undertake their parenting obligations. Apart from the...
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January 29, 2020 || by Chynna Wilson || Articles ||
By now you’ve probably heard of the Coronavirus – the flu like illness that has rapidly spread across the city of Wuhan, China and has recently made its way to Canada, and around the globe. While health officials in Canada say there’s no reason to be too concerned yet, employers are beginning to wonder what...
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January 23, 2020 || by Leeora Avrahami || Articles ||
The ongoing conflict between the Ontario Government and the union representing Ontario elementary school teachers has resulted in rotating strikes, leaving parents uncertain about how they will meet their childcare responsibilities. The current circumstances raise the question: what is an employer’s obligation to employees whose children cannot attend school due to a strike? One potential...
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