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 “Bill 195 Ends the State of Emergency: What Ontario Employers Should Know,” McMillan describes the impacts of Ontario’s recently passed Bill 195 on the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
Other resources:
- Alberta's Recovery Plan and its Bedrock: The Energy Sector
- Thinking About Real Estate in Canada? Practical Considerations for Structuring a Private REIT
- Global Privacy Authorities Remind Video Teleconferencing Companies of Privacy Expectations
Miller Thomson LLP
In “Is the Alberta advantage back?” Miller Thomson details the measures announced by the Alberta government to improve the economy and business environment amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Other resources:
- COVID-19: Cross country update (August 7-10, 2020)
- The impact of destination traffic
- COVID-19 in commercial leasing – the “Phantom Menace”?
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
In “Canadian government temporarily extends national security review timelines,” Osler writes about the ministerial order issued by the federal government to lengthen certain national security review periods under the Investment Canada Act.
Other resources:
- Alberta announces new framework to speed up oil and gas reclamation
- Ontario introduces sweeping changes to environmental legislation
- Alberta to remove Canadian residency requirements for directors: Reducing the burden for foreign-owned corporations
Dentons Canada LLP
In “Episode 4 - Existing disputes: impacts from COVID and what do you do?” Dentons covers the consequences of the public health crisis on existing disputes and the conduct of hearings in an episode of a podcast series.
Other resources:
- Amendments to Canadian “at-the-market” offering regime – what to expect?
- Retail: country-by-country summary of the impact of COVID-19 (updated August 5)
- Episode 9: Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program update
Bennett Jones LLP
In “Canadian Patents, Trademarks, and Industrial Designs: Final Extension of Deadlines in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Bennett Jones talks about the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s announcement regarding the final extension of deadlines, which is set to end on Aug. 21.
Other resources:
- Overview of Real Estate Emergency Pandemic Measures (Updated August 6, 2020)
- Limitation Periods for Tax Disputes Might Now Be Extended
- Alberta Announces New Liability Management Framework
Torys LLP
In “Video: how are litigation strategies changing in the ‘new normal’?” lawyers from Torys share their experiences on virtual proceedings and their insights on how the technological changes have impacted litigation strategies in a video.
Other resource: COVID-19 triggers Canadian intellectual property deadline extensions until August 24, 2020
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
In “Canada proposes sweeping changes to Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy,” DLA Piper sums up the potential amendments to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program, as announced by the federal government.
Other resources:
- Termination of Ontario’s declaration of emergency: effect on temporary layoffs and deemed terminations due to COVID-19
- The IP Action Plan: Ontario’s strategic plan to drive innovation and improve the post-COVID economic recovery
- B.C. employers: apply to extend COVID-19 layoffs past August 30, 2020
Stewart McKelvey
In “Prince Edward Island Labour and Employment legislative changes,” Stewart McKelvey discusses the province’s Bill 38, which provides for an emergency leave for workers unable to work because of the pandemic.
Other resources:
- COVID-19 immigration update (updated Aug. 5)
- COVID-19 – potential liability for municipalities
- Applicability of business tax where operations limited
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
In “Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: An Updated Guide for Businesses,” Davies offers a detailed review and analysis of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.
Other resource: Québec Superior Court Renders First Decision on the Impact of COVID-19 on Commercial Leasing
Cox & Palmer
In “Receiverships and COVID-19 – Is the Pandemic Sufficient Cause for Postponement of an Asset Sale?” Cox & Palmer summarizes an Ontario Superior Court of Justice case which touches upon the issue of what amounts to a fair and reasonable sale procedure in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Other resources:
- Canada’s valuable COVID-19 research vulnerable to Russian, Chinese hacks
- Witnessing Wills in Newfoundland and Labrador: What does “in the presence of” actually mean?
Lavery, de Billy, LLP
In “Important Changes to the CEWS announced: will you now be eligible, and what should you consider?” Lavery, de Billy gives a summary of the announced changes to the structure of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.
Other resource: Further COVID-19 Update on Canadian IP
BCF LLP
In “Hengyun International Investment Commerce Inc. Decision: A New Approach to Landlord-Tenant Relationships Arising from the Pandemic,” BCF analyzes a Superior Court of Quebec case which offers a possible new interpretation of how force majeure clauses affect commercial leases.
Other resources:
- Details on Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
- Post-COVID Planning: Reviving the Economy and Seizing Opportunities
Aird & Berlis LLP
In “The Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s COVID-19 Response,” Aird & Berlis suggests trying to meet the original due dates, if possible, despite the extensions of deadlines announced by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
Other resources:
