COVID-19: Cross country update (July 10, 2020)

Federal

The Government of Canada announced the following measures:

Funding for COVID-19 Safety Measures in Forest Operations

The Federal Government has announced its intention to provide up to $30 million dollars for small and medium enterprises in the forest sector to offset costs associated with COVID-19 safety measures.  Specifically these funds will primarily cover costs for:

• sanitization stations;
• additional accommodations and/or transportation;
• facilities and services targeted at maintaining social distancing; and
• personal protective equipment.

This funding will help support the scheduled planting of 600 million trees.

 

British Columbia

The Government of British Columbia announced the following measures:

COVID-19 Related Measures Act

Bill 19, COVID-19 Related Measures Act, has received Royal Assent and will come into force on proclamation.  This legislation allows provisions created in response to the pandemic to be formalized and unwound as appropriate after the provincial state of emergency ends.  Instead of ending immediately at the conclusion of the provincial state of emergency, ministerial orders made under the Emergency Program Act will now be extended after the end of the state of emergency by 45 or 90 days.  Bill 19 also provides for the possibility of an extension of COVID-19 related orders by up to one year, in anticipation of a second wave of COVID-19.

Bill 19 also allows for the creation of regulations that provide protections from civil liability. For example, regulations could be created that would allow child care operators and amateur sport organizations to be protected from liability where they operate responsibly and in accordance with public health orders and guidelines.

Labour Force Survey Results

118,000 people in British Columbia found jobs in June, 2020.  Employment gains in May and June have recovered 40% of the total jobs lost since February.

 

Saskatchewan

The Government of Saskatchewan announced the following measures:

Increase in Jobs as Saskatchewan Re-Opens

Today, the Government of Saskatchewan released numbers from Statistics Canada which demonstrate that Saskatchewan saw an increase of 30,300 jobs or 6.0%, in June compared to May as a result of the economy reopening.

 

Manitoba

The Government of Manitoba announced the following measures:

Increase in Employment

The Manitoba Government released Labour Force Survey results from Statistics Canada which show that Manitoba leads the country in student employment and has recorded an increase of 28,900 jobs or 4.9%, from May to June, 2020.

 

Ontario

The Government of Ontario announced the following measures:

Launch of the Ontario Made Program

Today, the Government of Ontario announced its support for the Ontario Made program from Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. The program promotes provincially made products by assisting consumers in identifying, accessing and purchasing them. Ontario Made is funded through the $50 million Ontario Together Fund that was launched on April 1, 2020.

To learn more about Ontario Made, visit this news release.

Stabilization of Ontario’s Economy

The Ontario Government released employment numbers from Statistics Canada that show employment in Ontario increased by 377,900 in June, 2020.  Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, said these numbers are an indication that Ontario’s economy is beginning to stabilize.

 

Nova Scotia

The Government of Nova Scotia announced the following measures:

State of Emergency Extended

The state of emergency declared under the Emergency Management Act has been renewed until noon on July 26, 2020.

Tourism Visitor Information Centres Now Open

Visitor information centres on the Halifax waterfront, Amherst, Peggy’s Cove, Port Hastings and Yarmouth have reopened, offering in-person visitor services and trip counselling with new safety measures including the installation of plexiglass barriers, signs and guides, and enhanced cleaning protocols.

Additionally, new services offer personalized support while following physical distancing protocols including an outdoor dispenser with guides and maps, and a curbside assistance window to provide counselling, guides, maps and brochures at the Peggy’s Cove, Amherst and Port Hastings locations.

 

Prince Edward Island

The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the following measures:

New COVID-19 Testing Site

A new testing site for PEI residents who are essential workers, including truckers and health care workers, is being established near the Confederation Bridge in Borden.  Any essential worker from the province who is returning to PEI after travelling outside the Atlantic bubble due to their work will be able to drop-in to the testing site to be swabbed for COVID-19.

 

Northwest Territories

The Government of the Northwest Territories announced the following measures:

Economic Data on COVID-19 Impacts

The Government of the Northwest Territories released Survey Results based on data gathered from a March 2020 survey of tourism operators and a broader survey of Northwest Territories (NWT) businesses in April/May.  The results are meant to help the government better understand the effects of COVID-19 on the NWT and how to best respond to them.

Overall, 81% of NWT business respondents reported a significant decrease in revenues.  Tourism businesses experienced the largest revenue decreases in April and May, followed by those working in transportation.  Together, these two industries saw their revenues decline by an average of 71%.  While not all sectors will rebound at the same rate or to the same degree, over 90% of businesses surveyed in April and May said they felt they could survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Nunavut

The Government of Nunavut announced the following measures:

State of Public Health Emergency Extended

The Minister of Health has extended the state of public health emergency under the Public Health Act until the end of July 23, 2020.

 

Miller Thomson is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation to ensure that we provide our clients with appropriate support in this rapidly changing environment. For articles, information updates and firm developments, please visit our COVID-19 Resources page.