This week's update on resources shared by law firms addressing the COVID-19 crisis
Law firms across Canada are sharing their insights on how to deal with the rapidly evolving economic and legal landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a roundup of some of these resources.
Lawson Lundell LLP
In “COVID-19 Measures Taken by Pension Regulators Across Canada Bulletin,” the firm sums up the measures being implemented by federal and provincial pension regulators to safeguard the interests of both pension plan members and pension plan administrators amid this public health crisis. These measures include extensions of filing deadlines and restrictions on transfers.
Other resources:
- Eligibility Criteria for The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- BC Housing Outlines Details for Temporary Rental Supplement Program
- Strata Corporation Obligations & COVID-19
Langlois lawyers, LLP
In “Proactivity and creativity in mergers and acquisitions during COVID-19: 5 key issues,” the firm lists the ways by which parties can prudently manage risks, considering the slowdown in M&A transactions and other business activity due to COVID-19.
Other resources:
- To launch, or not to launch, an internal investigation during the COVID-19 crisis: that might be a question
- IIROC issues Notice 20-0063 regarding COVID-19 related exemptions from IIROC Rules
- “Quebec on hold for several weeks”: five considerations for long-term crisis management
Field Law
Given that international travel has been significantly restricted, in “Top 10 Immigration Questions Answered,” the firm answers frequently asked questions relating to immigration law and employment law matters such as express entry draws, permanent resident cards, work permits, passports and biometrics.
Other resources:
- Eight Things to Know About the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- Suspended or Not? Limitation Periods in Employment Law
- Temporary Changes to Alberta Employment Standards Legislation
Farris LLP
In “Tax Measures Addressing COVID-19,” the firm discusses tax-related and other economic measures adopted by the federal government, which include wage subsidies, administrative tax measures and extensions for filing tax returns and paying taxes.
Other resources:
- A Pandemic Survival Guide for BC Wineries – How to Weather the Coronavirus
- Force Majeure and Frustration
- Suspension of Limitation Periods in British Columbia
Lerners LLP
In “Medically Assisted Dying and Estate Planning in the time of COVID-19,” the firm explores how the pandemic has impacted programs governing medical assistance in dying and how it has led to a spike in legal inquiries relating to wills, powers of attorney and estate planning.
Other resources:
- Not-for-Profit Fundraising challenges in the COVID-19 world
- Cash Flow and the Coronavirus
- Electronic Contracts and Cyber-Security 101: A Crash Course for Businesses and Professionals in the Age of Social Distancing
Blaney McMurtry LLP
In “Indispensable Dispensaries: How Cannabis Became "Essential" in the COVID-19 Crisis,” the firm discusses how the COVID-19 crisis has affected the cannabis industry and how the federal and provincial responses toward this new sector can reveal insights about its current progress in Canada.
Other resources:
- Alternate Estate Dispute Resolution in current COVID-19 times
- Province Reimposes Limitation Periods and Lien Timelines under the Construction Act
- Update - Witnessing of Will and Powers of Attorney by Video
Smart & Biggar
In “From regulatory flexibility to reimbursement changes, how Canadian regulators and payers are managing the COVID-19 crisis,” the firm lists important regulatory developments which have been set in motion as a response to the public health crisis, both at the federal level and at the provincial level.
Other resources:
- Health Canada facilitates availability of COVID-19 health products
- COVID-19 Update: CIPO, Federal Courts, Health Canada
- COVID-19 Emergency Response Act permits Canadian government to use patented inventions and make regulations to address drug shortages
Torkin Manes LLP
In “Considering COVID-19 Clauses in Purchase and Sale Agreements,” the firm analyzes and comments on certain clauses that real estate brokers are considering including in real estate agreements, given the extraordinary circumstances arising due to the pandemic. The firm urges lawyers and clients to review and assess such proposed clauses before choosing to incorporate them.
Other resources:
- What You Need to Know About the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- Construction Lien Deadlines Not Suspended During COVID-19
- Virtual Witnessing of Wills and Powers of Attorney Permitted In Ontario During COVID-19
Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP
In “Your Primer on Force Majeure & Frustration,” the firm talks about the law in relation to the interpretation of force majeure contractual provisions, as well as the common law doctrine of frustration in contract law, in the context of the pandemic.
Other resources:
- Coverage for COVID-related business losses? Decision supports that this may be a physical loss or damage to property.
- Do courts have jurisdiction to order virtual hearings? Absolutely!
- Patent vs Pandemic: Ensuring Patents Save Lives
Clyde & Co Canada LLP
In “COVID-19 Canada: If a policy doesn’t cover business interruption, can the government say it does?,” the firm explores the issue of whether business interruption insurance coverage, which is generally set in motion by physical damage, should also be triggered by the presence of COVID-19.
Other resources:
- Covid-19 Canada: Closing Arguments by Video Conference - The Show Must Go On
- COVID-19 Global: Arbitration and court impacts
- Covid-19 Global: How is Coronavirus affecting International Arbitration?
Bereskin & Parr LLP
In “Companies are Not only Sharing IP, They are Enabling Others to Copy Their Product,” the firm writes about how life science companies have been sharing their intellectual properties, such as through patent pools, to enable others to supply more medical equipment and to formulate new medical treatments.
Other resources:
- PANTHR: Ontario’s Commendable Use of De-Identified Personal Health Information
- Keep the Bright Lights of Medical Research On!
- Chasing the Enemy – Major Breakthroughs in COVID-19 Diagnostics
Green and Spiegel LLP
In “COVID-19 and Canadian immigration: answering travel restriction questions,” the firm discusses the travel restrictions in place in Canada, as well as the obligations arising from these restrictions, in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Other resources:
- *Updated* COVID-19 immigration update
- Understanding Canada’s shifting immigration laws in light of COVID-19
- Coronavirus as it affects Canadian immigration – what we know as of February 4th, 2020
McLennan Ross LLP
In “COVID-19 Federal Economic Relief Measures,” the firm consolidates the filing deferrals, payment deferrals, wage subsidies, credit increases, loan reliefs and financial benefits and supports announced by the federal government over the past month.
Other resources:
- Suspension of BCA, Companies and Societies Deadlines
- Remote-Witnessing for Wills and Estate Planning Documents
- Holograph Wills – Friend or Foe?
Minden Gross LLP
In “Rent Deferral and Rent Abatement Agreements,” the firm provides a list of points for landlords and tenants to consider before entering into any agreements in relation to rent reliefs.
Other resources:
- Force Majeure and the Doctrine of Frustration: How may COVID-19 impact obligations under my lease?
- Property Tax Relief Due to COVID-19
- Signing Wills or Powers of Attorney During COVID-19
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
In light of the social distancing measures advised by public health authorities, in “Legal Considerations when Co-Parenting during a Pandemic in Manitoba,” the firm discusses how such measures have triggered novel family law questions relating to co-parenting, specifically in Manitoba.
Other resources:
