Author name: jonkersdw

AVOIDING PENALTIES FOR UNLAWFULLY OPERATING: The best defence against a warning, fine or summons is to argue that the business is in fact within a category of “essential” businesses and, as a result, the penalty is unwarranted. Some possible measures to reduce the risk of incurring a penalty include: evaluating whether all or portions of […]

May 3 – the federal Government announced that families receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will get $300 extra per child in May to help them deal with the added pressures of COVID-19. Eligible families will automatically receive this one-time increase as part of their scheduled CCB payment in May. Those who already receive the

CHALLENGING A FINE FOR NON-COMPLIANCE: Even if you maintain a defensible position for operating a non-essential business during the lockdown, including demonstrating compliance with the new health and safety guidelines, a by-law officer or police officer may still issue a ticket to employees or businesses for non-compliance with the provincial lockdown order. So far, in

Very recently Bill C-15:  An Act respecting Canada emergency student benefits (coronavirus disease 2019), the legislation that implements the government's Canada Emergency Student Benefit ("CESB"), became law. Under the CESB, eligible post-secondary students and recent graduates will receive $1,250 a month from May to August 2020, while those with dependents or disabilities will receive $2,000 per month

A primary symptom of the virus is an elevated body temperature of above 38C (100.4F). Accurate body temperature measurements seek to measure a person’s core body temperature. The normal core body temperature range in an adult is 36.5 – 37 C, but not everyone’s “normal” is the same. As well, different methods of temperature testing,

CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY (CEWS) – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 75% of employees’ wages for up to 12 weeks Retroactive to Mar. 15 Intend to promote recall and rehiring of employees laid off or terminated due to COVID-19; resume normal operations, if possible Three claim periods – Mar. 15 to June 6, 2020 Available

How your business manages its way through the pandemic will be a strong measure of its ability to achieve post-pandemic success. No one knows how we’ll emerge from this. Will corporate culture change? Will our offices become mere hubs for periodic interaction and specific purposes, leaving many of us to continue working remotely? Will we

THE NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY “BEST PRACTICES” GUIDELINES FOR BUSINESSES IN THE CKL The Government of Ontario’s general resources page for all sector-specific guidelines is here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/resources-prevent-covid-19-workplace Specifically, these “best practices” guidelines apply to the manufacturing, food manufacturing/processing, restaurant/food service and agricultural sectors. Today, these businesses in the CKL will be permitted to reopen operations,

May 1 – The Ontario government is allowing certain businesses and workplaces to reopen, provided they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. Those permitted to start up include seasonal businesses and some essential construction projects. For this purpose, the government, in partnership with Ontario's health and safety associations,

Reduces commercial rent by 75% if affected by COVID-19 Must pay less than$50,000 monthly rent to qualify Must have stopped operating or suffered a 70% reduction in gross revenue Available for April, May and June Landlord must apply Landlord pays 25% of monthly rent; tenant pays 25% to landlord; government gives loan to landlord for