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:
- COVID-19: May 6th Update on the Impacts to Development Applications and Hearings
- Construction through COVID-19 in Canada: A Guideline for what each Province and Territory is Doing [Current as at May 4, 2020]
- Litigating During COVID-19: Still Possible
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:
- Key considerations when re-opening your business
- Federal aid for Canadian agriculture and food sectors
- COVID-19 Financial Services update: perfection by control
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:
- Emergency order empowers hospitals in credentialing process
- Government announcements reopening businesses across Canada
- Notwithstanding COVID-19, NAFTA to be replaced by CUSMA on July 1
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:
- ADR for intellectual property and technology disputes: The virtues of dispute resolution in the context of COVID-19
- Ontario government issues update expanding the list of construction-related projects permitted to operate during COVID-19 emergency
- Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy
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:
- No Relief From AER Directive 067 Reporting Requirements Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
- Overview of Real Estate Emergency Pandemic Measures (Updated May 4, 2020)
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Announced for Qualifying Commercial Property Owners and Small Business Tenants
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:
- Emerging from the first wave of COVID-19: key recovery considerations for Canadian businesses
- COVID-19 as force majeure in Québec: key considerations, implications, and practical tips
- COVID-19: managing material contracts in crisis
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:
- Will the U.S. Close its Border for Business Travel in the Next 30 Days? What Businesses Need to Know to Access the U.S. Market
- Canadian Securities Regulators Provide Temporary Relief for Issuers Delaying AGMs Due to COVID-19
- Canadian Government Announces $252 Million in Aid for Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector
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:
- Ontario Issues Workplace Safety Guidelines
- Provincial Reopening Plans – Information for Restaurants, Cafés and Other Food Service Establishments
- Special Compliance Inspections for Employers of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
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:
- COVID-19 Federal Benefit Access Tool (Canada)
- CSA grants issuers temporary relief from the executive compensation disclosure requirements in light of COVID-19
- Work from home: considerations for employers during COVID-19
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:
- Cautiously inching toward the new normal in Atlantic Courts
- More return to work
- Bringing corporate governance online: can Atlantic Canadian private issuers leverage tech solutions within the existing statutory framework?
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:
- Federal Government Announces Canada Commercial Rent Relief Program
- IRS Provides COVID-19 Relief for Stranded “Snowbirds” and Other International Travellers
- Canadian Federal Government Announces Enhanced Scrutiny of Certain Foreign Investments During COVID-19
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:
- Nova Scotia – Legal Implications of the COVID-19 Emergency
- Newfoundland and Labrador’s COVID-19 Response – Information for Businesses
- Tendering and COVID-19: bidders beware (or at least be aware)
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:
- Return-to-work protocol: getting ready to resume
- COVID-19 and CBCA companies: Supreme Court of British Columbia first Canadian court to rule on a petition seeking an extension of the delay to hold the annual general meeting
- COVID-19: sound OHS practices key to continued operations
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.
