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.
McMillan LLP
In “Privacy Commissioner Releases Tips for Secure Videoconferencing,” the firm provides a summary of the tips released by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada to ensure adherence to privacy laws. Users of video-conferencing technologies should, for instance, limit meetings to the invited participants and avoid oversharing.
Other resources:
Miller Thomson LLP
In “New emergency order directed at hospital credentialing processes,” the firm discusses the emergency order issued by the Ontario government on May 1, which seeks to support the immediate needs of and to improve flexibility for the province’s hospitals and healthcare employees.
Other resources:
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
In “The Employer’s COVID-19 Return to the Workplace Playbook,” the firm shares important considerations for employers who are forming plans to reopen their workplaces. For a smoother transition, employers should consider what physical distancing measures to implement and what personal protective equipment to provide, among other matters.
Other resources:
Dentons Canada LLP
In “Business interruption and insurance coverage: A four-part series brought to you by Dentons Canada,” the firm sheds light on how business interruption affects various kinds of insurance policies, claims and coverages. Each of the four parts covers a different sub-topic, such as director and officer liability and professional liability insurance.
Other resources:
Bennett Jones LLP
In “Virtual Signings for Commercial Transactions in the COVID-19 Pandemic,” the firm explores electronic signings and closings in the context of the self-isolation and distancing measures imposed by public health authorities.
Other resources:
Torys LLP
In “COVID-19’s impact on competition enforcement and foreign investment reviews in Canada,” the firm covers procedural and substantive issues that may arise following the Competition Bureau’s recent statement on competitor collaborations.
Other resources:
MLT Aikins LLP
In “Occupiers’ Liability During COVID-19,” the firm describes the concept of occupier’s liability in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and discusses the duties owed by businesses to invitees and contractual entrants who enter their premises.
Other resources:
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
In “Commercial Rent Relief – Implications for Landlords and Tenants,” the firm explains the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program and the resulting legal considerations for landlords and their tenants.
Other resources:
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
In “Relief for startups from COVID-19: do I qualify for funding?,” the firm lists possible sources of relief for small and medium-sized businesses struggling during the pandemic, such as the Business Credit Availability Program, the Canada Emergency Business Account and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
Other resources:
Stewart McKelvey
In “COVID-19 immigration update,” the firm considers the numerous impacts of the public health crisis on the immigration landscape with regard to land travel, air travel and post-travel isolation requirements.
Other resources:
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
In “Estate Planning in Turbulent Times,” the firm provides insight on estate planning matters for individuals to consider during these challenging times, such as estate freezes and refreezes, capital dividend planning and loss carryback planning.
Other resources:
Cox & Palmer
In “How do borrowers and lenders manage during an economic downturn?,” the firm suggests ways for borrowers and lenders to work together and to mutually help each other get through these extraordinary circumstances.
Other resources:
Langlois lawyers, LLP
In “COVID-19 – April 28, 2020 update: gradual reopening of certain economic sectors,” the firm writes about the recent announcement of Premier François Legault regarding the gradual resumption in May of activities in specific economic sectors: retail, manufacturing and construction.
Other resources:
Goldblatt Partners LLP
In “Pension regulators across Canada respond to COVID-19,” the firm elucidates the response of pension regulators to the pandemic, as well as the regulatory reliefs offered, both in the federal level and in the provincial level.
