This week’s update on resources shared by law firms addressing the impact of COVID-19
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
