Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – Updated on April 17, 2020
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which is designed to assist employed and self-employed workers, began receiving applications April 6, 2020. The CERB provides a taxable benefit of $2,000/month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit is available to Canadians who have lost their […]
COVID-19 and Your Commercial Lease (for Landlords) (updated June 19, 2020)
Can I evict my tenant for non-payment of rent? A commercial lease agreement will often contain language that allows a landlord to terminate the lease and re-gain possession of the premises if the tenant fails to pay rent. In this case, the right to repossess the premises under the lease should be exercised in accordance […]
COVID-19 and Corporate Tax Filings
Federal Government On March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada announced the details of its COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Included in the measures announced to support Canadian businesses was additional flexibility with respect to corporate tax filings. Canadian businesses will be able to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax […]
Records of Employment in the COVID Era
Employment and Social Development of Canada has issued specific directions to employers on how to complete Records of Employment where an employee has been directly affected by the coronavirus. Their website notes: “If your employees are directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and they are no longer working, you must issue a Record of Employment […]
COVID-19 and Your Commercial Lease (for Tenants) (Updated June 19, 2020)
To account for the uncertainty around COVID-19 and the impact of building closures and social-distancing on your business, landlords and tenants should review their leases carefully to determine their rights and obligations and/or attempt to negotiate solutions that address the challenges currently faced by both parties. Parties may agree upon such things as increased cleaning […]
COVID-19: Temporary Wage Subsidies for Small Businesses **UPDATED** (March 30, 2020)
On March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada announced the details of its COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Included in the measures announced to support Canadian businesses was a temporary wage subsidy for eligible small employers. The wage subsidy is a three-month measure that is available to Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPC) that have an existing business […]
How to Co-Parent in a Pandemic: Advice from the ONSC on Custody, Access and Urgent Motions
Many parents are wondering how to proceed with custody and access arrangements given the current COVID-19 situation. In Ribeiro v Wright the Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently provided guidance to families on this important topic. In this blog, we will review the Court’s comments and discuss how families should approach pandemic parenting. Ribeiro v […]
Canada’s Care of Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic (updated April 22, 2021)
As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 rises in Canada, employers are facing difficult decisions concerning how to balance the health of their employees with the health of their businesses. Many companies have directed their employees to work remotely, some have resorted to temporarily limiting hours, closing their doors or laying off employees, while […]
COVAID: Feds Announce COVID-19 Aid Package
On March 18th, 2020, the Federal Government announced a new $27B aid package (“COVAID”) to help individuals reeling from the financial impact of the virus. For individuals, the package includes: Temporary Income Support for Workers and Parents: In April, for workers without paid sick leave, and who are sick/quarantined/ staying home to care for children, […]