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 “Alberta’s Recovery Plan: Invest Alberta and the Invest Alberta Corporation,” McMillan lists the key goals of Alberta’s Recovery Plan and touches upon Invest Alberta, which was established to lead the province’s investment attraction strategy.
Miller Thomson LLP
In “Four tips to treating injuries during quarantine,” Miller Thomson suggests possible actions for motor vehicle accident victims to take in the case of a quarantine, such as virtual care and diligence with “at home” exercises.
Other resources:
- COVID-19: Cross country update (updated July 13)
- Pension plan regulatory relief and COVID-19 relief measures: A summary (updated July 6)
- Prescribed rate loans: Tax planning opportunity during uncertain times
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
In “Appellate courts’ response to COVID-19,” Osler gives an update on COVID-19-related restrictions, adjournments, suspensions of deadlines, remote proceedings and recent expansions of operations in appellate courts across Canada.
Dentons Canada LLP
In “Episode 1: COVID-19 workplace safety plans,” a podcast from Dentons discusses what organizations can consider including in their workplace safety plans and how they can implement and maintain such plans.
Other resources:
- City of Toronto makes masks or face coverings mandatory in enclosed public spaces
- Updates to government sponsored benefit programs: CEWS, CERB, and CEBA
- Retail: country-by-country summary of the impact of COVID-19
Bennett Jones LLP
In “Overview of Real Estate Emergency Pandemic Measures (updated July 13),” Bennett Jones shares recent developments and emergency measures in the real estate landscape, such as updates on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program, as applied in Ontario.
Other resources:
- Alberta’s Recovery Plan
- Department of Finance Announces Additional Relief Measures Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Radha Curpen and Sharon Singh on Recovering and Rebuilding From COVID-19
Torys LLP
In “Controlling corporate misconduct in a crisis,” a webinar from Torys sheds light on how businesses can deal with white collar crime and corporate misconduct, which are typically heightened during times of crises.
BCF LLP
In “COVID-19 or Not, Protectionist Tendencies in International Trade Are Here to Stay,” BCF gives recommendations on how organizations in Quebec can continue exporting despite the trend toward protectionism.
Aird & Berlis LLP
In “As Businesses Reopen, They Need to Be Thinking About Their Workplace Safety Plans,” Aird & Berlis provides an overview of the guidance issued by the Ministry of Labour in Ontario, which discusses how employers can take the appropriate precautions to safeguard the health and safety of their employees.
Other resources:
- List of Essential Businesses in Canada (updated June 25)
- Ontario Government Bans Commercial Evictions in Ontario: What Bill 192 Means to Landlords and Tenants
- OEB Issues Decision Regarding COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program
Goodmans LLP
In “Ontario Postpones Commencement of Excess Soil Regulation,” Goodmans writes about Ontario Regulation 406/19, which delays the implementation of the new regulation covering excess soil management.
Lawson Lundell LLP
In “Addressing the Privacy Challenges with Workplace COVID-19 Screening,” Lawson Lundell gives tips on how employers can comply with their privacy obligations, such as by notifying employees that personal information will be collected and by safeguarding the personal information collected.
Other resources:
- British Columbia Announces Further Extension to COVID-19 Related Temporary Layoffs
- New Ministerial Order Revises Measures in Place for Residential Landlords & Tenants in British Columbia
- British Columbia Remote Hearings During COVID-19 – Procedure and Practical Tips!
Field Law
In “CERB Extension – What Does This Mean for Employers?” Field Law covers the potential implications for employers in light of the extension of the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit program.
Other resources:
- Bill 24: A Further Extension of the Temporary Layoff Period to 180 Days
- Commercial Tenancies Protection Act (Alberta)
- Ready for Re-Launch! – Practical Advice for Employer “Return to the Workplace” Planning Amidst COVID-19
Farris LLP
In “COVID-19 and Governmental Measures in Housing Sector (updated June 24),” Farris identifies implemented and proposed government measures applicable to the real estate sector in B.C.
Lerners LLP
In “Managing a pandemic: Does a nation’s constitution make a difference?” Lerners compares how the wording of the constitutions of Canada and of the U.S. may influence the two countries’ societal responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other resources:
- Re-opening Your Business and COVID-19: Protecting Client and Employee Safety and Privacy
- The Protecting Small Businesses Act, 2020 Complicates Commercial Lease Enforcement
- Que Sera Sera (Whatever the Equalization Payment Will Be Will Be) in the Time of Covid-19
Smart & Biggar
In “Accelerated examination of Canadian patent applications related to COVID-19 relief,” Smart & Biggar talks about the new pilot program of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, which seeks to accelerate the process for examining patent applications for COVID-19-related medical technology.
