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 “Protecting Small Business Act, 2020 - Ontario's Temporary Ban on Commercial Tenant Evictions,” McMillan lists the key provisions of the provincial legislation, which aims to protect commercial tenants from getting locked out and to prevent landlords from seizing their tenants’ assets in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.
Other resources:
- COVID-19 and Commercial Tenancies - Alberta's Commercial Tenancies Protection Act
- Material Adverse Effect Clauses in a COVID-19 World
- Ontario Small Businesses Get a New Ride on the Digital Main Street
Miller Thomson LLP
In “Pension plan regulatory relief and COVID-19 relief measures: A summary,” Miller Thomson gives an update on pension-related relief measures recently announced in Alberta and Manitoba.
Other resources:
- COVID-19: Cross country update (June 30, 2020)
- COVID-19 related temporary layoff period extended again for Alberta employees
- New filing methods in COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act, 2020
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
In “COVID-19: Be wary of purported ‘change in law’ claims,” Osler explains that there is no straightforward answer to the question of whether a purported “change in law” claim arising due to COVID-19 will succeed or fail.
Other resources:
- Finance Canada/CRA: GST/HST update and end of GST/HST and customs duties deferral
- Alberta to expedite and de-politicize oil sands approvals: Bill 22, Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2020
- Alberta Legislature introduces bill to limit landlord remedies during COVID-19 pandemic
Dentons Canada LLP
In “Recovery and opportunities following the COVID-19 outbreak: Seniors housing facilities,” Dentons shares the presentation materials released alongside its webinar for organizations providing services to the seniors housing sector.
Other resources:
- President Trump signs Presidential Proclamation suspending the entry of certain non-immigrants
- Retail: country-by-country summary of the impact of COVID-19 (June 30, 2020)
- Episode 2 - Overcoming the challenges
Bennett Jones LLP
In “COVID-19 Relief for Saskatchewan Mining Companies,” Bennett Jones writes about recently passed amendments to provincial regulations, which seek to grant relief to mining companies exploring certain Crown minerals.
Other resources:
- Alberta Advantage: Reduced Corporate Tax Rate Effective July 1, 2020
- Saskatchewan's Accelerated Site Closure Program Announces New Details
- Suspended Environmental and Regulatory Reporting to Resume on July 15, 2020
Torys LLP
In “Six month delay for Canada’s new drug pricing rules,” Torys suggests that the pandemic may call attention to the tension between providing affordable medicines and promoting incentives to innovate.
Other resources:
- Delay in Canada’s drug pricing reforms to 2021
- Canada First?: A changing Canadian business sentiment
- Financial Post cites Torys’ commentary on the future of venture capital
Robic LLP
In “The COVID-19 pandemic in the world of intellectual property,” Robic emphasizes that ingenuity and collaboration are crucial to combatting the virus and to developing diagnostic methods and preventative and curative solutions.
Other resources:
- Patents and trademarks: it’s a good time to file in the United States!
- COVID-19: Pandemic programs and financial relief measures for cannabis companies in Canada
- Crisis period: Managing your Intellectual Property in a Healthy Way!
WeirFoulds LLP
In “Demand Without Supply: Preparing for Supply Chain Issues on Construction Projects,” WeirFoulds explores possible ways to deal with construction-related supply chain disruptions amid the COVID-19 crisis, such as by reviewing contracts or by applying the doctrine of frustration.
Other resources:
- Commercial Tenant Relief Provided: the Protecting Small Business Act, 2020
- Time to Start Again: Land Use Planning in the Pandemic
- The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Short-Term Rentals
Harper Grey LLP
In “Workplace Policies: Ensuring That They Reflect the Risks and Realities of a Return to Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Harper Grey covers the important items to include in workplace policies, such as measures relating to physical distancing, personal protective equipment, hygiene and sanitation.
Other resources:
- Virtual Wills and Witnessing Beyond COVID-19
- BC extends Temporary Layoff Period from 16 weeks to 24 weeks due to COVID-19
- Development of Your Safety Plan
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
In “Foreign investment policy in the time of COVID-19,” BD&P provides an overview of the classes of foreign investments that should expect a higher degree of scrutiny during the public health crisis.
Other resources:
- Make like the buffalo: Competition Bureau of Canada announces flexibility for competitor collaboration amid COVID-19 pandemic
- Canadian Private Mergers and Acquisitions Deal Points Study
- Recent federal and provincial COVID-related updates: what you need to know
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
In “Addressing the Cyber Risks of Remote Work – Connection Risks,” Hicks Morley considers the potential issues facing employees who remotely access information technology services via external networks.
Other resources:
- Federal Updates: Extension for Temporary Layoffs, Workplace Harassment and Violence Regime in Force on January 1, 2021
- Toronto and Peel Region Moving to Stage 2 of Re-Openings
- The Latest Updates for School Boards Before the Summer
KPMG Law LLP
In “COVID-19 — CRA extends travel restrictions relief,” KPMG Law talks about the guidance issued by the Canada Revenue Agency on the impact of travel restrictions on tax residency and entitlement to treaty benefits.
Other resources:
- Alberta drops corporate tax rate to 8% effective July 1
- Extended 75% wage subsidy — 30% revenue decline for June
- COVID-19 — Canada seeks changes to relief measures
Goldblatt Partners LLP
In “Returning from pregnancy or parental leave during COVID-19?” Goldblatt Partners sheds light on how the COVID-19 crisis affects childcare options and job-protected leaves of parents and caregivers.
Other resources:
- What Emergency Powers Do Governments Have to Respond to COVID-19?
- What are my options for taking time off work?
- What does reopening Ontario mean for parents and caregivers?
Baker & McKenzie LLP
In “Canada: COVID-19 - Foreign Investments in Canada - Still Open for Business, but Caveat Emptor,” Baker McKenzie discusses the effects of the pandemic on foreign investment review in Canada.
Other resources:
- International: COVID-19: Government Intervention Schemes Guide
- International: UPDATE - Worldwide patent offices begin to lift measures enacted due to COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 Global Guide on Public Contracting
Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP
In “Virtual Witnessing of Estate Documents,” JSS Barristers summarizes Alberta’s Ministerial Order 39/2020, which temporarily allows the virtual witnessing of wills, enduring powers of attorney and personal directives.
Other resources:
