The Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak has significantly affected the world in unprecedented ways. Almost every aspect of our daily routines have changed. Many of us are practicing social distancing in addition to self-isolation or self-quarantining at home in hopes of flattening the curve of this pandemic. However, a problem that many Canadians may not be ready to face are…
COVID-19 has had and continues to severely impact the Canadian economy. Many employers are now implementing, or at least considering, temporary layoffs because of the voluntary or forced operational shutdowns. Below you’ll find some key information regarding temporary layoffs in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. What is a Temporary Layoff? In general, layoffs refer to a period of time where…
On March 18, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Its goal is to mitigate the negative economic effects of the virus by providing relief for workers and businesses through fiscal stimulus measures. More specifically, the plan will provide up to $27 billion in direct assistance to Canadian individuals and businesses. In addition, $55 billion in…
A difficult decision that business owners need to make is whether to buy or lease their place of business. There are many factors that need to be considered when deliberating between each option. Below you will find a list of pros and cons for buying and leasing commercial real estate. As a result, you will be able to effectively weigh…
Dear Clients, Colleagues, and Friends: We have waited to post this update to give each of you time to adjust to the “new normal” all of us will be facing for the foreseeable future. At the outset, we wish to extend our heartfelt concern to you and your loved ones. As a community, we will get through this, and we…
Acquiring commercial space is often stressful and complex. However, it may be a smart business investment and integral to your business plan. Therefore, it is critical that you do your due diligence prior to sealing the deal. This involves planning, researching, and ensuring that your choice of space and acquisition method meets your needs as well as maximizes your investment.…
It’s no secret that residential construction disputes are stressful. From the owner’s perspective, a residential construction dispute is when further work or repairs need to be completed and paid for by the party responsible for using faulty materials or encountered issues with the design, construction, or renovation process. Where things get more complicated, however, is when there are multiple responsible…
You may be familiar with the Empty Homes Tax and the Speculation and Vacancy Tax if you are a homeowner in or around the Vancouver area. The key difference between both taxes is that the first is only applicable to Vancouver whereas the latter is province-wide. As of December 31, 2019, significant updates were made to the Speculation and Vacancy…
The coronavirus outbreak has affected everyday life with the media playing a large role in instilling panic through sensationalized headlines. The general public’s fear of the unknown coupled with misinformation has already led to a shortage in personal supplies such as hand sanitizer, face masks, and toilet paper. Thus, it is logical to assume that the real estate market, too,…
Many already know that wearing a seatbelt is the law, but what exactly happens if you and/or your passengers don’t? Understanding the law and the possible ramifications of failing to wear a seatbelt may make you think again about not buckling up for that 5 minute drive. Not wearing a seatbelt cannot only hurt you physically, but it can take…