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.
Gowling WLG
In “COVID-19: Canadian federal economic support for individuals,” the firm gives an overview of reliefs announced by the federal government under its COVID-19 economic response plan, including measures introduced by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Department of Finance and Global Affairs Canada.
Other resources:
- Ontario announces Stage 2 reopening
- British Columbia conditionally restricts commercial lease terminations during COVID-19
- Updated: COVID-19 Impacts on mortgage enforcement processes by province and territory
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
In “Reopening for Business: What to think about as you plan for the transition,” the firm covers the legal and workplace considerations that may arise when reopening businesses.
Other resources:
- The CSA Publish New Blanket Relief Orders Intended for Investment Funds and for Registrants and Unregistered Capital Markets Participants
- The Québec Government Tables a Bill to Restart Québec’s Economy
- Written Resolutions to approve Specific Issues of Shares for Cash: A further boost for expedited equity capital raisings on the JSE during COVID-19?
Stikeman Elliott LLP
In “Ontario’s Economic Re-opening: The Latest Developments,” the firm gives updates on recent announcements by the Ontario government regarding re-launching the economy.
Other resources:
- COVID-19: Practical Considerations for Your Litigation, from Coast to Coast
- In a First for Canada, Benefit Companies Are Coming to British Columbia
- The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program: An Overview
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
In “COVID-19 and Litigation Risk: How can businesses respond to Litigation or a Litigation-Precipitating COVID-19 Event?,” the firm suggests possible ways for organizations to respond to potential COVID-19-related litigation, such as getting counsel involved early in the process and taking steps to reduce risk.
Other resources:
- Bill 61 : Restart of the Quebec Economy and Mitigation of the Consequences of the Public Health Emergency
- COVID-19 and Litigation Risk: Does your back-to-work strategy plan for litigation risks?
- COVID-19 and Private Funds – What’s Next?
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
In “COVID-19 and the Frustrated Contract Act,” the firm sheds light on B.C.’s Frustrated Contract Act, which allocates losses arising from contractually frustrating events and which may be especially relevant given the pandemic.
Other resources:
- Bill 61: Preparing for Quebec’s Post-Pandemic Economy
- Recent Developments: FINTRAC and the PCMLTFA
- COVID-19: Pensions Regulatory Updates Across Canada
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
In “Climate change litigation and disclosure implications during COVID-19,” the firm provides insight into climate change class actions, a new trend in climate change litigation in Canada, and disclosure requirements in the context of COVID-19.
Other resources:
- COVID-19 - Provincial and territorial action plans for reopening
- Game On: Reopening sports and recreation during COVID-19
- Coming down the PIPE: private investments in public equity
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
In “Changes to travel restrictions for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents: What employers should know,” the firm explains the implications of the recently issued orders applicable to foreign nationals entering Canada.
Other resources:
- Some relief from temporary layoff obligations and potential constructive dismissals for Ontario employers under ESA
- Relief extension: securities regulators extend blanket relief for registrants
- International arbitration report
MLT Aikins LLP
In “Employees on “Stress Leave” — Tips for Handling Employee Requests to Remain Off Work,” the firm discusses how employers can respond to employees asking to remain away from the workplace on the basis of stress.
Other resources:
- Alberta Government Announces Relaunch Payment for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
- Saskatchewan’s Regulatory Amendments Aim To Provide Relief For Mining Companies
- Updates Released for CECRA Eligibility, Application and Administration
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
In “Recent Legislative Updates Affecting Canadian Employers,” the firm gives a summary of key legislative developments relating to economic support measures that impact employers.
Other resources:
- Further Details on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program for Small Businesses
- Canadian Securities Administrators Extend Temporary Relief From Certain Regulatory Filings
- Heightened Insider Trading Risks
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
In “Cost deferral and other strategies for your patent portfolio during COVID-19,” the firm suggests cost-effective strategies for companies to safeguard their inventions in light of the economic consequences of the public health crisis.
Other resources:
- COVID-19 Federal Benefit Access Tool (Canada)
- B.C. Government limits commercial landlord’s remedies if they forgo CECRA
- New regulation to provide relief to Ontario employers due to COVID-19: Temporarily changing the statutory landscape of temporary layoffs
Stewart McKelvey
In “Proposed extension of time limits under various legislation may create significant disruption to foreign investments,” the firm summarizes the recently proposed Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19).
Other resources:
- Taking stock: Quick reference guide for government initiatives
- Nova Scotia announces plan to re-open economy, new funding
- The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program: COVID-19 economic response
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
In “Bill 61: Restarting Québec’s Economy,” the firm writes about Quebec’s Bill 61, which seeks to mitigate the impacts of the public health crisis and to strengthen the protection of commercial tenants, among other objectives.
Other resources:
- CEWS Update: Review of New Rules and CRA Guidance
- Canada Commercial Rent Assistance Program: Details and Practical Considerations
- COVID-19 and the Courts: What You Need to Know
Cox & Palmer
In “COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in Atlantic Canada – A Summary for Business Travelers,” the firm describes the interprovincial travel restrictions applicable to individuals considering traveling to or within Atlantic Canada.
Other resources:
- Newfoundland and Labrador’s COVID-19 Response – Information for Businesses
- FAQ: New Brunswick’s COVID-19 State of Emergency and Mandatory Order
- Nova Scotia – Legal Implications of the COVID-19 Emergency
Lavery, de Billy, L.L.P.
In “Improving Cybersecurity with Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence,” the firm talks about the new cybersecurity challenges companies may encounter due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ways that these companies may deal with them.
Other resources:
