Business Resilience Service Launched to Advise Businesses on Government Relief Programs
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Canadian Business Resilience Network, in partnership with the Government of Canada, in collaboration with EY, and with support from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada and Imagine Canada recently launched the Business Resilience Service. The Business Resilience Service helps small- and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profits, and charities navigate the available government […]
City of Ottawa Releases Business Reopening Toolkit
On May, 20, 2020, the City of Ottawa released the Business Reopening Toolkit to offer guidance to businesses that prepare to recommence operations safely as Ontario begins reopening the economy. The toolkit provides sector-specific information with respect to: restaurants and food services; construction; retail; arts, culture, festivals, and events; manufacturing; office; healthcare providers and personal […]
Don’t Stand So Close To Me….Returning to Work and Managing Physical Distancing
On the lighter side The idea that sometimes people can get “too close” is not new. Seinfield’s “close talker” episode made people both laugh, and cringe, as Elaine’s boyfriend launched himself across social boundaries, speaking to people mere inches from their faces. Now we have COVID-19 and as employers are turning their minds to recalling […]
Considerations for Franchisors and Franchisees During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, franchisors and franchisees may be uncertain as to their rights and obligations under their existing franchise agreements and in providing and receiving disclosure documentation upon renewal, resale and entering into new franchise agreements. Continuous Operation Franchisees who have or may temporarily close their businesses as a result of the COVID-19 […]
Why COVID-19 Should Not Extend Most Notice Periods
In the employment law blogosphere, there is much chatter about whether the COVID-19 pandemic extends periods of reasonable notice. As a lawyer who represents employees and employers, I’ve been thinking a lot about it and reading up on the top blogs. A lot of employment counsel surmise that much like notice periods generally, it will […]
The Continuing Effect of COVID-19 on Litigation Matters
Two recent decisions from Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal illustrate the scope of changes in processes and procedure that Courts in Ontario are making to litigation matters. These cases also underscore an expectation for counsel and parties to cooperate and to be open to the use of different processes […]
Shrinking Values: COVID-19 and its Potential Impact on Property Division
With COVID-19, many people have seen the value of their assets drop. An investment that was climbing with the market has now plummeted. The value of businesses have decreased with the ongoing closures. How long it will take for these to bounce back is anyone’s guess. In a separation, the value of one’s assets and […]
Ontario to Allow Additional Businesses to Reopen
On May 14, 2020, the Ontario government announced that the first stage of the government’s reopening of the province will tentatively begin early next week. The news release can be found here. Beginning on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., the following businesses, among others, can reopen: · Retail businesses that are not in […]
I Want to Reopen My Ontario Business: Getting My Workforce Back
Employers looking to reopen must first turn their minds to recalling employees from their temporary lay-offs. When must I do it? Lay-offs are governed by the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and can generally only last 13 weeks. In cases where the employer continues to make substantial payments during the layoff (EI top-up, healthcare benefits, other […]
