This week’s update of 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.
Gowling WLG
In “COVID pension regulation amendments create new opportunity for lenders,” Gowlings suggests that banks and other lender financial institutions look into the new relief to the borrowing restrictions applicable to registered pension plans, found in the draft regulations to the Income Tax Act.
Other resources:
- COVID-19: Canadian tax-relief (updated July 6)
- Quebec Government Update - June 17 to June 30, 2020
- June 26 update: Canadian financial regulatory responses to COVID-19
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
In “Beyond COVID-19 - Combining Franchises: An Interesting Path Back to Profitability,” Fasken considers ways for franchise networks to improve efficiency and effectiveness amid the new business landscape, with one possible approach being the combination of franchises.
Other resources:
- Weekend Workplace Wrap-up on COVID-19 for July 4 and 5, 2020
- Challenge to the tobacco ban goes up in smoke: High Court declares the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products lawful
- British Columbia Societies May Postpone 2020 AGMs until November 2021
Stikeman Elliott LLP
In “Québec Reopens Most Sectors,” Stikeman Elliott summarizes the features of the latest stage of deconfinement in the province. The remaining confined sectors have been reopened, subject to certain exceptions.
Other resources:
- COVID-19: Practical Considerations for Your Litigation, from Coast to Coast (updated July 7)
- COVID-19 Update: Federal Court Opens Up Across Canada
- COVID-19 Update: CIPO Extends Office Deadline (updated July 2)
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
In “COVID-19 Update: Returning to New Office Life,” McCarthy Tétrault provides insight on matters relevant to office life in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, including the pros and cons of working from home and the ways that organizations can help employees who commute.
Other resources:
- COVID-19: Economic relief measures announced to date (updated July 7)
- Limits on emergency powers in British Columbia: Ombudsperson concludes that two COVID-19 orders were unlawful
- COVID-19 Update: Further Extension of Temporary Layoff Periods In British Columbia
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
In “Securities Law Considerations in Anticipation of a ‘New Normal’ and Possible Second Wave,” Blakes covers disclosure considerations and the impacts of delayed shareholder meetings amid the public health crisis.
Other resources:
- Draft Pension and Deferred Salary Leave Tax Regulations Released
- Alberta Introduces Additional COVID-19-Related Relief
- COVID-19: Pensions Regulatory Updates Across Canada (updated June 30)
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
In “COVID-19 and an employee's right to refuse work,” BLG identifies important considerations for employers when dealing with work refusals in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
Other resources:
- COVID-19 - Provincial and territorial action plans for reopening (updated July 7)
- COVID-19: Breaking developments and essential resources (updated July 2)
- White-collar crimes in the COVID-19 pandemic
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
In “Coronavirus for employers: leaves, work refusals, accommodation and more,” Norton Rose Fulbright discusses leave entitlements, the duty to accommodate and the right to refuse work. The firm also lists best practices for employers.
Other resources:
- IP monitor: CIPO extends deadlines until July 20, 2020
- Temporary ban on certain non-immigrants to the US: what you need to know
- The National Holiday and Canada Day in Quebec: take-away for employers
MLT Aikins LLP
In “BC COVID-19 Related Measures Act to Help Formalize Emergency Orders Enacted in Response to the Pandemic,” MLT Aikins gives an overview of the proposed B.C. legislation, which aims to allow certain COVID-19 related orders to be extended beyond the end of the provincial state of emergency.
Other resources:
- Saskatchewan Government Issues Phase 4.3 Guidelines for Partial Phase Four Reopening
- Alberta and B.C. Allowing Virtual Witnessing of Estate Planning Documents During COVID-19
- Government of Alberta Announces Relaunch Grant and Recovery Plan
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
In “Returning to the Workplace – Preparing for the ‘New Normal’,” Cassels Brock explores how employers can minimize legal risk when reopening the workplace through introducing measures such as health and safety protocols, and wellness and morale initiatives.
Other resources:
- ‘Resuming the Clock’ – Ontario Lifts Suspension of Planning Act Timelines
- Construction Industry Update – Continued Exemption of the Construction Act from the Extended Suspension of Limitation Periods Order
- Ontario’s Expanded Infectious Disease Emergency Leave and Implications for Temporary Layoffs and Constructive Dismissals
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
In “Clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic: A global guide,” DLA Piper provides guidance to pharmaceutical companies which seek to continue conducting clinical trials during the COVID-19 crisis.
Other resources:
- What In-house lawyers Need - take our survey and learn from your peers
- Federal Government announces amendments to the Canada Labour Code extending temporary layoff period
- Employment impact of Bill 24: Extension of temporary layoffs and validation of COVID-19 regulations
Stewart McKelvey
In “Travelling to visit a cottage or summer home in Canada during COVID-19,” Stewart McKelvey writes about potential problems facing those who want to visit their vacation homes or cottages in Canada during the pandemic.
Other resources:
- COVID-19 immigration update (updated June 24)
- Bringing Corporate Governance Online: Can Atlantic Canadian private issuers leverage tech solutions while complying with provincial corporate statutes? Part 2: Electronically signed share certificates
- Temporary layoff timeline extended to 26 weeks from 13… temporarily
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
In “The Hostile Bid Is Dead. Long Live the Hostile Bid?” Davies sheds light on the M&A prospects of businesses which are in the position of potentially emerging stronger than ever in the post-pandemic landscape.
Other resources:
- CRA Provides Relief from International Income Tax Issues Raised by COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
- Ontario Joins Other Provinces in Introducing a Temporary Moratorium on Evictions of Small Business Tenants
Cox & Palmer
In “Temporary Lay-off Period Extended in Newfoundland and Labrador,” Cox & Palmer talks about the recently passed amendment to the Labour Standards Act, which temporarily extends the period of temporary layoff.
Lavery, de Billy, LLP
In “Resumption of Mergers and Acquisitions: What May Change After the Crisis,” the firm looks at possible trends in the M&A market after the COVID-19 crisis, such as an increased reliance on earnout clauses.
