Author name: jonkersdw

During our recovery efforts, businesses and organizations in the CKL should be developing their own, customized workplace safety plan to continue to operate, or to re-open, during Ontario’s phased-in plan. The Ontario government has now released a new guide to assist employers to develop and implement a workplace safety plan, including over 100 sector-specific health […]

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $10 million in emergency assistance for beef and hog farmers. The funding will help cover the increased costs of feeding market ready cattle and hogs due to COVID-19 related processing delays, while redirecting surplus pork products to help those in need. This program is intended

Today the Ontario government introduced legislation to temporarily ban commercial evictions. Many commercial landlords have refused to participate in the CECRA program, administered by both the federal and provincial governments, leaving many small businesses with no ability to carry on business. The legislation will protect commercial tenants from being locked out or having their assets seized due to

The Ontario government has published a new order requiring businesses and organizations in the CKL that are reopening to: operate in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related regulations; operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including with respect to physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting;

The Ontario government has announced a proposed, regulatory change to mandate the reporting of data on race, income, language and household size for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. Reportedly this will help to ensure the province has a more complete picture of the outbreak. This change will allow for the collection of data in

The Ontario government has announced $15-million in supplemental Agri-food Workplace Protection Program funding for health and safety measures on farms and in food processing facilities. According to a government press release, this funding will help farmers purchase personal protective equipment and implement workplace modifications and other measures to improve health and safety for their workers. Specifically,

The Ontario government has relaxed restrictions on the number of attendees permitted at indoor and outdoor wedding and funeral ceremonies. . The government is extending the number of people allowed to attend an indoor wedding or funeral ceremony to a maximum of 30 per cent capacity of the ceremony venue.    Wedding and funeral ceremonies

The federal government has announced a $77.5-million Emergency Processing Fund for food producers, processors, and manufacturers, with two stated objectives: “Emergency COVID Response” to assist companies to implement changes required by COVID-19 to ensure the health and safety of workers. This funding will assist with: plant retrofits or adjustments to existing operations to accommodate changes to

As of today, welcome to the new normal of “social circles” in Ontario.  You can now establish a family or social circle of no more than 10 people who can interact with one another without physical distancing.  You can only be in 1 social circle. Choose wisely. You can hug non-household members, but only those

The Ontario government has provided more guidance and updated information about the gradual resumption of visits by family and friends of residents in long-term care homes, retirement homes and other residential care settings, beginning June 18, 2020.  Specifically:  • Long-term care homes will allow outdoor visits of one person per resident each week at a minimum. Retirement