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Federal
The Government of Canada announced the following measures:
Camping Resumes
Starting on June 22, 2020, Parks Canada will begin to offer some camping services at select national parks and national historic sites across the country in alignment with the guidance of national, provincial, territorial, and local health authorities. For more information, visit Parks Canada website.
Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund Opens
The Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund (CSSF) is a $62.5 million fund that will help fish and seafood processors in Western Canada, Quebec and Atlantic Canada through COVID-19. Applications for the fund open on June 22, 2020.
The CSSF is meant to help fish and seafood processors put in place health and safety measures to help protect workers against COVID-19 and to maintain Canadian jobs. It is also meant to strengthen Canada’s food supply chain by increasing plant capacity and helping to adapt processes and marketing to suit changing consumer demands.
For more information or to apply in Western Canada, visit the Western Economic Diversification Canada’s website. For Atlantic Canada, visit the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s website and in Quebec, visit Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions’ website.
British Columbia
The Government of British Columbia announced the following measures:
British Columbians Invited to Share Ideas
The B.C. Government is inviting people to share their feedback as the Province looks to build a strong economic recovery. People can share their ideas, experiences and priorities by:
- Participating in an online survey;
- Providing a response by email (recoveryideas@gov.bc.ca) on the recently released paper, Building BC’s Recovery, Together – Share your ideas; and
- Participating in virtual town halls.
Alberta
The Government of Alberta announced the following measures:
Legislation Proposed to Protect Commercial Tenants
The Alberta government announced the proposal of Bill 23, the Commercial Tenancies Protection Act, which would protect eligible commercial tenants from having their leases terminated due to non-payment of rent as a result of COVID-19. Additionally, if passed, the Act would also prevent landlords from raising rent and charging late fees and penalties on missed rent. The legislation would cover the period from March 17 to August 31, 2020.
For more information on the proposed legislation, visit this press release.
Saskatchewan
The Government of Saskatchewan announced the following measures:
Guidelines for Weddings and Funerals Apply to Places of Worship and Graduations
The Government of Saskatchewan has clarified that the guidelines for weddings and funerals in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan also apply to outdoor graduations and services taking place in places of worship, as well as services taking place in locations outside of places of worship. These services and events must incorporate the following public health measures:
- To safely support larger groupings of individuals – and where seating area allows adequate physical distancing – multiple groups of 30 are permitted up to a maximum of 150 people;
- Within each group of 30, individuals must be separated by two metres, unless they are part of the same family;
- Other groups of 30 must be arranged in the same way, and be spaced from other groups by a minimum of five metres;
- For indoor religious or non-religious ceremonies, weddings or funerals, the total number of people participating in services cannot exceed 30% of seating capacity or 150 people, whichever is less; and
- No food or drink service is allowed at any of the above gatherings – indoors or outdoors.
Manitoba
The Government of Manitoba announced the following measures:
Final Plan Released for Phase Three
Today, the Government of Manitoba released the final plan for Phase Three for Restoring Safe Services after consultation with public health officials and soliciting feedback from the public. This plan will go into force on June 21, 2020. Some of the key changes include:
- Removing the maximum capacity of 300 people at any site provided the gathering can be physically divided into sub-groups of 50 or fewer indoors or 100 or fewer outdoors, to a maximum of 30% of usual capacity;
- Allowing people from BC, AB, SK, YK, NWT, and NT, and people living in the area of northwestern Ontario to visit Manitoba without having to self-isolate for 14 days;
- Ensuring those travelling to northern Manitoba continue to respect any restrictions that have been put in place by local communities and First Nations;
- Lifting self-isolation requirements on a case-by-case basis where sectors propose and provide satisfactory plans to address public health requirements for necessary travel; and
- Lifting capacity limits for restaurants, bars, beverage rooms, brew pubs, microbreweries and distilleries, as long as tables and seating are arranged so there is a temporary or physical barrier, or two metres of separation between people sitting at different tables.
Detailed information regarding the plan for Phase Three can be found on the Manitoba Government’s website.
Ontario
The Government of Ontario announced the following measures:
Extension of Emergency Orders
The province announced that it has extended all emergency orders currently under force until June 30, 2020. Although all emergency orders will remain in place, the Ontario government has stated that it will continue to review each one on an ongoing, case-by-case basis to determine when and if they can be safely adjusted or lifted.
Supports for the Beverage Alcohol Sector
To support the province’s beverage alcohol sector during COVID-19, the Ontario government is encouraging consumers to mark Ontario Craft Beer Week and Ontario Wine Week, which takes place June 14-20. Further, effective June 21 until October 2020, the province is increasing choice and convenience for consumers by working to expand made-in Ontario options at the LCBO. For more information, see this press release.
Canada and Ontario Support Beef and Hog Farmers
The governments of Canada and Ontario are partnering to provide up to $10 million of emergency assistance for beef and hog farms. The funding will help cover the increased costs of feeding market ready cattle and hogs due to COVID-19 related processing delays, while redirecting surplus pork products to help those in need. Both the beef cattle set-aside and hog sector support programs are being offered through AgriRecovery initiatives, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Ontario is also providing up to $1.5 million to process and package surplus pork for food banks in order to provide those in need with fresh, locally produced pork products.
Quebec
The Government of Quebec announced the following measures:
Resumption of Sports Activities
On June 17, the Québec government announced a new phase in the resumption of sports activities. As of June 22, indoor sports facilities and public and private beaches will be able to reopen. Team sports matches may also resume.
In May, the CNESST published a toolkit to specifically support stakeholders in the indoor and outdoor sports, recreation and open-air activities sector in their management of occupational health and safety.
Montréal – Economic Recovery Plan
On June 17, the Mayor of Montréal presented the Montréal Economic Recovery Plan, which includes 20 support measures organized into four axes:
- Put commercial activity at the heart of the recovery ($5.6M): stimulate commercial arteries and support merchants;
- Help enterprises do business differently ($4.8M): intervene on issues of debt, transformation of business models, support for start-ups and social economy;
- Reinvent the territory’s economic development ($10.5M): build on the territory’s strategic assets and create new programs to support sustainable investment; and
- Mobilize the economic ecosystem and generate renewed economic commitment ($1.1M): support and coordinate initiatives in international outreach, research, data and training.
Full details of the Economic Recovery Plan can be found on the City of Montreal’s website.
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Le gouvernement du Québec a annoncé les mesures suivantes :
Reprise des activités sportives
Le 17 juin, le gouvernement du Québec a annoncé une nouvelle phase de reprise des activités sportives. À compter du 22 juin, les infrastructures sportives intérieures et les plages publiques et privées pourront rouvrir. Les matchs pour les sports collectifs pourront également reprendre.
La CNESST a publié en mai une trousse à outils pour appuyer spécifiquement les acteurs du secteur des activités intérieures et extérieures de sport, de loisir et de plein air dans leur prise en charge de la santé et la sécurité du travail.
Montréal – Plan de relance économique
Le 17 juin, la mairesse de Montréal a présenté le Plan de relance économique de Montréal comportant 20 mesures de soutien organisées en quatre axes :
- Mettre le commerce au cœur de la relance (5,6 M$) : stimuler les artères commerciales et soutenir les commerçants ;
- Aider les entreprises à faire des affaires autrement (4,8 M$) : intervenir sur les enjeux de l’endettement, de la transformation des modèles d’affaires, du soutien aux startups et de l’économie sociale ;
- Réinventer le développement économique du territoire (10,5 M$) : mettre à profit les actifs stratégiques du territoire et créer de nouveaux programmes d’appui à l’investissement durable ; et
- Mobiliser l’écosystème économique et susciter un engagement économique renouvelé (1,1 M$) : soutenir et coordonner des initiatives sur les plans du rayonnement international, de la recherche, des données et de la formation.
Tous les détails du Plan de relance économique se trouvent sur le site Web de la Ville de Montréal.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced the following measures:
Student Aid
Student aid applications have opened for students who will be attending post-secondary institutions in the fall of 2020. Student aid has increased for the 2020-2021 academic year due to COVID-19.
The Canada Student Grant for full-time students has doubled for the academic year to up to $6,000 in non-repayable grants. The Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities has also doubled for the year, to $4,000.
Canada Student Loans have increased to $350 per week of study, from $210. Provincial Student Loans have increased to $100 per week of study, from $40.
Due to COVID-19, student contributions from employment during the summer and employment earnings while in-study are waived for the upcoming academic year.
Students can apply through the Provincial Student Aid website.
Fuel Tax Exemption Permits
The expiry date for Fuel Tax Exemption Permits has been extended to August 31, 2020. This license allows permit holders to purchase tax-exempt marked gasoline and light fuel oil.
Provincial gasoline and carbon product retailers may accept Fuel Tax Exemption Permits and sell marked diesel and light fuel without gasoline or carbon tax to permit holders until August 31, 2020.
Prince Edward Island
The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the following measures:
Seafood Industry
The province has partnered with the PEI Seafood Processors Association to create a labour program that connects Islanders with jobs in the seafood industry. Islanders and students interested in working in the seafood industry can register with WorkPEI to be connected with businesses that have job openings in the seafood industry.
Through the Team Seafood Program, students returning to post-secondary studies for the 2020 academic year will receive a $2,000 bursary and students returning to high school will receive a $1,000 bursary.
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.