WAGE SUBSIDY EXTENDED TO AUGUST 29, 2020, AND ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NOW INCLUDED

Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced that the Government of Canada will extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) to August 29, 2020.   The government has also revised the criteria to include several additional types of organizations that would not have otherwise been eligible for the CEWS: Partnerships:  Partnerships with non-eligible members will now ...

Wage subsidy (CEWS) will be extended beyond June 9, 2020

Prime Minster Trudeau announced on May 8 that the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will be extended. This should be welcome news for employees and employers.  The details of the CEWS are summarized in our previous blog posts, including our discussion about how it can be used by employers instead of laying off employees.  In brief, ...

Amendments to the BC Employment Standards Act

On May 4, 2020 the BC government announced that it has amended the BC Employment Standards Act to extend the maximum allowable period for a temporary layoff.  Previously, a temporary layoff could only extend to 13 weeks in a 20-week period before being considered a permanent layoff/termination.  Now the Act allows for a maximum of ...

QUICK SUMMARY OF OPTIONS FOR REDUCING WORKFORCE DURING COVID-19

Our Workplace Law Group is regularly receiving questions about employers needing to reduce their workforce during this difficult time.  These questions tie into several of our recent blog posts about the different options available to employers.  Here is a quick summary of those questions and our condensed/summary answers. Question 1- what are my options for ...

A Final Release is Not a Final Release for Unjust Dismissal Claims

18. February 2020 0
The Federal Court of Appeal recently affirmed that an employee who signs a final release is not barred from bringing an unjust dismissal complaint under the Canada Labour Code (the “Code”). The provincial employment standards legislation does not apply to employees in certain federally regulated industries. Those working in a federally regulated sector, such as ...

Coronavirus: Advice for Employers

10. February 2020 0
The World Health Organization recently declared novel coronavirus (“coronavirus”) a global health emergency. Countries across the world are taking precautions to prevent the spread of the infectious virus. In light of the current situation and potential for escalation, employers should be cognizant of their workplace duties relating to these types of health scares. Prevention Employers ...

UBER NOT GIVING UP ON ARBITRATION CLAUSE WITHOUT A FIGHT

27. January 2020 0
While Uber made its highly anticipated arrival in British Columbia last week, the leading ridesharing company is awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court of Canada on the validity of an arbitration clause in their contracts with drivers. Uber is a Netherland based company but operates worldwide treating their drivers as Independent Contractors. When an ...