Roundup of law firm resources on COVID-19: July 31 update

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.

McMillan LLP

In “Government Proposes Relief for Issuers of Flow-Through Shares,” McMillan covers the potential changes to the flow-through share program in Canada, as proposed by the Department of Canada in light of the effects of the public health crisis on junior mining exploration.

Other resources:

• COVID-19 and Commercial Rents: The Court Decides. Amicable Resolutions are Recommended.
• July 24, 2020 Update - Cross-Country Check-In: COVID-19 and the Environment
• COVID-19: July 22nd Update on the Impacts to Development Applications and Hearings

Miller Thomson LLP

In “The impact of COVID-19 on speed-related injuries,” Miller Thomson sheds light on how the COVID-19 crisis may have contributed to speeding and to speed-related injuries.

Other resources:

• COVID-19: Cross-country update (July 25-27, 2020)
• Ontario passes new law to extend certain COVID-19 Emergency Orders beyond declared state of emergency
• Some good news for employers: Expanded and extended Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

In “Canadian competition law merger enforcement: (almost) business as usual,” Osler writes about the downturn in the country’s volume of merger activity and about how the Competition Bureau has adjusted certain procedures to assist parties in complying.

Other resources:

• Alberta to remove Canadian residency requirements for directors: Reducing the burden for foreign-owned corporations
• COVID-19 pandemic: A first perspective from the Québec Courts discussing the availability of the force majeure defence in a real estate context
• Important proposed changes to Alberta’s Employment and Labour Legislation

Dentons Canada LLP

In “Bill 32 – Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, 2020,” Dentons provides an overview of Alberta’s Bill 32, which will maintain the exception for layoffs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such layoffs may last for a maximum of 180 consecutive days.

Other resources:

• Sweeping changes made to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
• Retail: country-by-country summary of the impact of COVID-19 (updated July 29)
• Episode 3: Managing remote working risks

Bennett Jones LLP

In “Will COVID-19 Ignite Private Equity's Dry Powder?” Bennett Jones explores certain investment opportunities which may be availed by private equity firms seeking to deploy their committed, unallocated capital.

Other resources:

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: New Asset Acquisition Rules
• Alberta’s Site Rehabilitation Program Launches Period 3
• Updates to COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Economic Stimulus for Canadian Businesses

Torys LLP

In “How to reduce exposure associated with pandemic-related corporate misconduct,” Torys identifies issues that business leaders may encounter in relation to bad employee and business partner behavior, which may in turn trigger class action and regulatory liability.

Other resources:

• Capturing the potential of the world’s accelerating digital payments ecosystem
• Managing remotely raises unique tax issues for businesses
• The post-pandemic world: key considerations for business leaders

Pitblado Law

In “COVID-19 and Waivers: Considerations and Practical Tips,” Pitblado discusses whether waivers seeking to safeguard a business from exposure to litigation are effective in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other resources:

• Need COVID-19 business continuity plan? (updated June 30)
• COVID-19 - Summary of Court Closures in Manitoba (Updated June 25, 2020)
• COVID-19 and E-Commerce: Website Terms of Use Agreement

WeirFoulds LLP

“Web Series: Leading Questions – Presented by WeirFoulds Women,” which is hosted biweekly by women lawyers from WeirFoulds, touches upon COVID-19-related questions such as whether an employer can reduce salaries, whether it is the right time to update one’s will and power of attorney and whether now is a good time to invest.

Wildeboer Dellelce LLP

In “Moving Away from the CERB: Redesigning the CEWS Program,” Wildeboer Dellelce summarizes the highlights of the proposed amendments to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP

In “Bill 23: Alberta’s attempt at filling the gaps in CECRA,” BD&P talks about Alberta’s Bill 23, which aims to protect commercial tenants who are undergoing COVID-19-related financial difficulties from being evicted, from having their leases terminated or from incurring late penalties.

Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP

In “Bill 195 Passes: Declared Emergency Will End But Emergency Orders Will Continue,” the firm provides insight on how Ontario’s Bill 195, which received royal assent, affects the declared emergency and the emergency orders issued by the provincial government.

Other resources:

• Ontario (Again) Updates Its COVID-19 Self-Assessment
• Province Amends Stage 2 Closure Order Effective July 17
• Canada Labour Code COVID-19 Leave to be Extended by 8 Weeks

KPMG Law LLP

In “Income tax payment deadlines extended to September 30,” KPMG Law gives an update on the recent extension of income tax payment deadlines and on the interest relief offered by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Other resources:

• Canada enacts wage subsidy extension and enhancements
• Alberta’s new 20% R&D grant — Coming soon
• Canada further extends and expands wage subsidy

Goldblatt Partners LLP

In “What Emergency Powers Do Governments Have to Respond to COVID-19?” Goldblatt Partners explains the emergency powers available to the federal and provincial governments. This document is updated to reflect newly issued emergency orders.