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Although the community spread of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have peaked in the province according to public health officials in Ontario, concern about the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care, retirement and congregate care settings has significantly increased. COVID-19 outbreaks are occurring throughout the province among these vulnerable populations, resulting in increased mortality and […]

On May 11, 2021, the British Columbia Government introduced legislation to amend the B.C. Employment Standards Act to give employees paid leave in the event they need to be away from work due to COVID-19: Bill 13 – 2021: Employment Standards Amendment Act (No. 2), 2021. If Bill 13 passes, the new COVID-19-related paid leave […]

Canada’s federal government continues to announce new economic measures to help stabilize the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outlined below are the measures announced thus far by the federal government, along with expansions to existing programs, that are available to assist Canadian charities and non-profit organizations (“NPOs”) facing financial challenges during the pandemic. Deferred tax […]

Transport Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada have collaborated to produce safety guidance for the further protection of drivers and employees working in commercial vehicle operations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The document is available for download via the Transport Canada website in English and French. While specific […]

Co-authored by: Eliane Leal da Silva, Business Advisor In response to the COVID-19 crisis and in consideration of the public health emergency, on March 25, 2020 the Federal Government of Canada enacted Bill C-13, amending numerous statutes and regulations, including the Patent Act R.S.C., 1985, c. P-4 (the “Patent Act”) regarding the use of patents […]

Introduction One of the biggest considerations with respect to whether COVID-19 related losses will be covered by business interruption insurance is whether those losses can be considered “physical loss” or “damage”.  Although unrelated to the interpretation of an insurance policy, a recent decision out of Pennsylvania’s high court[1] may be of some interest in this […]

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting measures to encourage and enforce social distancing have resulted in a severe economic slowdown that is widely expected to lead to a deep recession, if not worse.  This downturn has hit charities hard.  Foundations have seen the value of their endowments plummet and investment income is likely to diminish significantly.  […]

As society begins to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so too must businesses begin to readjust to the harsh realities of fulfilling their contractual obligations.  However, the pandemic has given rise to much discussion as to the extent of these obligations, and decisions are now being rendered by the courts that will […]

Saskatchewan employers now have statutory protection regarding the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions and regulations at the workplace in accordance with public health recommendations. The Saskatchewan Employment Amendment Act, 2021 confirms that employers who enacted mandatory vaccination policies were within their legal rights to do so. Specifically, this legislation added section 9-10.01 to The Saskatchewan Employment […]

With employers keeping busy drafting and enforcing vaccination policies in the last few weeks, many questions have been raised about medical exemptions from the requirement to get the COVID-19 vaccine. While employers are aware that human rights legislation requires them to accommodate employees’ medical conditions which may exempt employees from vaccination, the medical conditions requiring […]