TCJ and COVID-19: Important Information for Companies
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (75%): For Whom and How to Benefit?
April 6, 2020
On March 27, 2020, following in the footsteps of several other countries such as Denmark, Australia and the United Kingdom, the federal government announced the introduction of the Emergency Wage Subsidy to help businesses; thereby making it possible to maintain the employment relationship of as many workers as possible during the coronavirus crisis.
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
April 29, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis affecting us all, the federal government in collaboration with its provincial and territorial partners recently announced Canada's Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA).
COVID-19: The Canada and Quebec Governments Offer Assistance to Businesses and Workers...New Announcements!
April 6, 2020
On March 21st, the Therrien Couture Joli-Cœur team published a first version of this article. This article was updated following additional announcements made by both the federal and Quebec governments.
How COVID-19 is affecting business at IRCC
March 26, 2020
Temporary foreign workers, some international students and approved permanent residents who haven’t yet landed are now able to enter Canada.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html
COVID-19: Closure of Businesses and Non-Essential Services
March 24, 2020
At its daily press briefing on March 23, the provincial government ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses and services, effective Wednesday, March 25 at 00:01 a.m.This exceptional measure, which is in addition to others already in place, will be in effect until April 13, 2020, in order to further promote the containment of everyone and to halt the community contamination of COVID-19.
COVID-19: What About Sworn Statements?
March 24, 2020
Several measures have been announced in order to reduce court attendance and to halt the spread of COVID-19. As a matter of fact, only urgent requests continue to proceed, and technological methods are favoured. However, many of these requests require a sworn statement, formerly known as an affidavit, so it could be presented. Such statements are also required for files that will proceed by way of paper only.
IRCC update on travel in Canada
March 23, 2020
Workers, students and permanent residents whose applications have been approved, but who have not yet arrived, should not travel. We have announced exemptions, but they are not in place. Travel restrictions are still in place for these groups.
Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada, as well as certain foreigners travelling from the United States, who have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 days and are symptom-free, may enter Canada by air at this time.
Read more : https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html
How to Minimize the Impact of your Contracts in Connection with COVID-19?
March 23, 2020
For a few weeks now and particularly in the last few days, many of you have been wondering about the negative impacts of COVID-19 on your business. Most likely, you are beginning to feel a slowdown in your operations because the suppliers you deal with outside of the Canadian border have supply and/or production problems. Another possibility is that you have contracts with clients, distributors or partners that impose penalties in case of delays in delivery or production. It is quite possible that your business is already closed at the moment or that it will be forced to do so by tomorrow. Behind these legitimate questions lies the question of how you can lessen the impact of this crisis on your business.
COVID-19: temporary foreign workers, seasonal workers and international students will soon be able to cross the Canadian border
March 22, 2020
This update follows the restrictions regarding the travel ban imposed by the Government of Canada on March 20, 2020.
Please find the list of the impacted temporary residents below:
- Temporary Foreign Workers;
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers;
- Workers in the fish and seafood industry;
- Caregivers;
- International Students (with approved study permits or valid study permits);
- Permanent Resident applicants for which the permanent residency application has been approved but had not yet travelled to Canada.
COVID-19: Federal and Quebec Governments Offer Assistance to Businesses and Workers
March 21, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic brings its share of disruptions around the world, but also in Quebec, affecting all spheres of the economy as well as employees, the self-employed and owners of small, medium and large businesses. Aware of this sad reality, the federal and Quebec governments have announced measures to limit their negative impacts.
COVID-19: What is the impact on companies operating internationally? - Part 2
March 20, 2020
3 COVID-19 Q&As for Companies Operating Internationally:
- We have plans to acquire a company abroad. How can the virus have a significant impact on the transaction and is it a good idea to get the project going?
- We are accustomed to making all our transactions in US dollars or Euros. We have many outstanding contracts in foreign currencies as well. What could we do, and should we change our habits for future transactions?
- Our company has an international contract in place that contains a force majeure clause. We must immediately stop production and temporarily close the plant due to COVID-19. We are therefore unable to meet our obligations towards our clients. What do we have to do quickly?
COVID-19: What are the HR impacts for companies that must shut down temporarily or completely?
March 19, 2020
The situation of COVID-19 is unique as it forces companies to adapt quickly. Many decisions will have to be made by business leaders in order to face this pandemic, which is why several HR impacts are expected.
COVID-19: Your Health and Safety are Our Priority
March 18, 2020
We are aware your concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and are following its evolution very closely. As we have previously communicated to you, we have established a COVID-19 Management Committee comprised of the CEO, the COO, our directors in the business offices and our managing directors.
COVID-19: Is your Immigration Situation in Canada Affected?
March 17, 2020
The coronavirus - COVID-19 pandemic and its rapid spread in North America and around the world is leading our governments to take restrictive protective measures that increasingly affect the international mobility of people. Your immigration status in Canada or that of your employee could also be affected.
Read more!
COVID-19: What is the impact on companies operating internationally?
March 16, 2020
3 COVID-19 Q&As for Companies Operating Internationally:
- My company must submit a major bid abroad and if we get the contract, it means that we will have to deliver our equipment to our client's premises as well as send a team to install the equipment. Should we submit this bid or wait?
- Our company ordered strategic components from international suppliers, which will then be integrated into the production chain of our products in Canada. We are concerned that we will not be able to receive our components on time, as Chinese factories are in the affected areas. What could we do?
- Should our company consider changing its contract templates to be better equipped to deal with this pandemic or similar situations in the future?
COVID-19: What are the employer's obligations?
March 15, 2020
Read our answers to the most common questions raised by employers in relation to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic:
- What are the employer's obligations in the context of managing the COVID-19 pandemic?
- What health measures should an employer put into place within its organization to protect its employees?
- What strategies should an employer put in place to reduce the risk of contagion and to accommodate its employees?
- What information can an employer request from its employees in order to assess the risks of contagion?
- Can an employer require an employee returning from a trip abroad to isolate themselves for fourteen (14) days?
- Can an employer require an employee returning from a trip abroad to isolate themselves for fourteen (14) days?
- How should the employer respond if an employee displays symptoms of COVID-19 in the workplace?
- Does an employer remain responsible for the remuneration of an employee who is absent due to preventative isolation?
- Does an employer remain responsible for the remuneration of an absent employee who has contracted COVID-19 or who is showing symptoms?
- In the event that an employee must be absent from work because of school and daycare closures, and has already taken the ten (10) days provided for in the Act respecting labour standards for family commitments or that their absence exceeds them, can the employer refuse the employee’s absence?
- What financial measures are being put in place by governmental authorities to help employers and employees deal with the consequences of the spread of COVID-19?
- Can an employee benefit from the coverage provided for in the group insurance contract should they need to absent themselves due to COVID-19?
TCJ and COVID-19
March 13, 2020
In response to the situation, we have established a team made up of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, our office managers and our Managing Directors to share in real time the information provided to us by government authorities and the recognized media, as well as information from each of our offices, our practice groups and our partners and clients.