Premier John Horgan announced a 4 phase plan to restart the province and slowly loosen restrictions. What does this mean? It means that if certain requirements are met, the province will progress through these phases. As a result, businesses may begin to reopen under the condition of safe operation. According to B.C.’s Restart Plan, which can be found here, public…
On Monday, May 4, 2020, the B.C. Ministry of Labour announced a change to the B.C. Employment Standards Act. More specifically, temporary layoffs are now extended to 16 weeks. This is a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and its unprecedented effects on the labour market. The B.C. government changed its employment regulations in order to match the Canada Emergency Response…
During these difficult and uncertain times, the federal and provincial governments have been taking measures to provide financial support to those who need it. This includes employed and self-employed individuals who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the province of British Columbia has announced the B.C. Emergency Benefit for…
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the details for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program on April 24, 2020. The program aims to provide the support needed by small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The government hopes that introducing this program will contribute towards a quicker and easier economic rebound once restrictions are lifted. In…
Previously, we discussed the key considerations when making a will. We also detailed how to handle estate planning and execution amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in this post. However, what happens if you feel that you have been wrongfully disinherited by a testator? A testator is an individual who created a will and has now passed away. Essentially, testators are morally…
Without a doubt, Canada is facing a significant slowdown due to the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. Businesses have shut down, international supply chains have been disrupted, international travel has slowed, and borders have closed. The pandemic has had, and will continue to have, unprecedented effects on the global economy. Ultimately, this will leave many individuals and businesses unable to follow…
Regardless of whether you’re an employee or employer, the coronavirus pandemic brings with it plenty of uncertainty, especially when it comes to employment. One of the most common problems right now is that employers are needing to reduce their workforce. This is due to various market pressures and for the safety of their communities. So, what does this mean for…
COVID-19 brings with it a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. In addition, the nature of the pandemic has changed the way that separation or divorce can be handled. Some may ask questions akin to the following: How can I meet with a lawyer for when I’m social distancing and offices are closed? Can I still create and implement my separation…
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…