Roundup of law firm resources on COVID-19: Sept. 4 update

Law firms across Canada continue to share their insights on the evolving legal and economic landscape resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a roundup of some of these resources.

Gowling WLG

In “Implications of Bill 197 for municipal class environmental assessments: Reducing the application and scope of class EAs for municipal infrastructure projects,” Gowlings sheds light on Ontario’s Bill 197, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020, which introduces important changes to the province’s Class Environmental Assessment system.

Other resources:

• Further Update on the Supreme Court of Canada’s COVID-19 Suspension Period
• COVID-19: Guide to Federal and Provincial Relief Programs (Current as of August 29, 2020)
• CIPO update: An additional extension of designated days to August 31, 2020

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

In “Amendments Made to the Workers Compensation Act Impact BC Businesses,” Fasken provides insight on changes to the Workers Compensation Act, which seeks to improve the entitlement of workers to benefits and broadens the powers of WorkSafeBC to collect unpaid assessments.

Other resources:

• Weekly Workplace Wrap-up on COVID-19 for August 24-30, 2020
• THIS time it’s final … The Canadian Intellectual Property Office Extends IP Deadlines Until AUGUST 31st
• You Have Been Told That Franchise Disclosure Is Not Mandatory in Québec: This Is “Fake News”!

McCarthy Tétrault LLP

In “OSFI Updates COVID-19 Measures,” McCarthy Tétrault writes about the announcement of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions regarding the discontinuation of certain temporary COVID-19-related measures.

Other resources:

• COVID-19: Recovery and Re-opening Tracker (September 01, 2020)
• COVID-19: Emergency Measures Tracker (September 01, 2020)
• COVID-19 Update: Canada Emergency Response Benefit (“CERB”) Extension, Employment Insurance (“EI”) Expansion, New Sickness and Caregiving Benefit

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

In “CERB and EI changes: What employers and workers need to know,” BLG elucidates the simplified Employment Insurance program, which will support those who cannot work for COVID-19-related reasons.

Other resources:

• Ontario Ministry of Education releases operational guidance for managing COVID-19 cases
• Ontario educational institutions: COVID-19 and the close contact problem
• Manufacturers of internet of things devices: guidance from the Canadian Federal Privacy Commissioner

Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

In “Not turning a blind eye: addressing domestic violence, telework, and pandemic-related employment considerations in Canada,” Norton Rose Fulbright outlines options for dealing with domestic violence related to teleworking employees across five jurisdictions: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, and federal.

Other resources:

• IP monitor: CIPO extends deadlines – one more week to August 31, for the last time
• Sustainable bonds to be traded on TSX

WeirFoulds LLP

In “Multiple Choice: Canada to Replace CERB with New and Revised Income Support Programs for Employees,” WeirFoulds discusses newly introduced federal programs that seek to offer economic support to unemployed workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Other resources:

• Federal Government Extends the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program: What Employers Need to Know
• The Clock is Ticking: The Expiration of the Deemed Infectious Disease Emergency Leave and Next Steps for Ontario Employers

Wildeboer Dellelce LLP

In “OSC Implements New Start-Up Crowdfunding Prospectus Exemptions,” Wildeboer Dellelce covers the Ontario Securities Commission’s new start-up crowdfunding registration and prospectus exemption regime, which aims to improve access to capital for start-ups and small- to medium-sized businesses, a change that may be especially relevant in the context of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other resource: Proposed Relief for Flow-Through Share Issuers: The Government of Canada Extends Spending Timelines by Twelve Months

Harper Grey LLP

In “CERB extended and the three proposed new recovery benefits announced,” Harper Grey gives an overview of the federal government’s newly announced recovery benefits for those who cannot avail of the Employment Insurance program.

Other resources:

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Program extended to December 2020 and eligibility broadened
• BC employers need to recall employees or apply for a variance by August 30th
• The end of CERB is coming on September 26 how will the transition to EI work

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP

In “An update on the changes to COVID-19-related temporary layoffs,” BD&P summarizes the statutory and regulatory changes impacting temporary layoffs in non-unionized workplaces.

Other resources:

• New Order under the Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) brings temporary timeline extensions and uncertainty for foreign investors
• Alberta introduces mandatory abandonment spending and new liability management framework

Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP

In “Proposed Extension of Current CEWS Calculation for Inactive Employees Through Claim Period 7,” the firm gives an update on the proposed extension of the present treatment of employees on leave with pay under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.

Other resources:

• Details of Extensive Changes to Employment Insurance and Canada Emergency Response Benefit Announced
• Temporary Change to Federal Policy Will Permit Visitors to Apply For and Obtain a Work Permit While In Canada
• Federal Government Introduces Updated CEWS Calculator

KPMG Law LLP

In “CRA further extends travel restrictions relief,” KPMG Law discusses the Canada Revenue Agency’s announcement regarding the extension of its relief relating to travel restrictions, with no further extensions anticipated.

Other resources:

• Canada temporarily enhances EI program as CERB winds up
• Alberta extends income tax payment deadlines to Sept. 3
• COVID-19 Employer Update: Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL)

Goldblatt Partners LLP

In “What are my workplace rights as a parent when schools reopen?” Goldblatt Partners answers a few questions potentially pertinent to parents, caregivers and school staff in connection with the reopening of schools.

Other resources:

• What Emergency Powers Do Governments Have to Respond to COVID-19?
• What is the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and how does it work?

Baker & McKenzie LLP

In “Canada: COVID-19 - National security review process becomes (temporarily) longer,” Baker McKenzie addresses the temporary extension of three significant time limits under the national security provisions of the Investment Canada Act.