22.04.2020
COVID-19: the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), enacted on April 11, 2020, is a key measure in the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. The CEWS is designed to provide financial assistance to businesses experiencing substantial decreases in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to enable these employers to retain or rehire their […]
21.04.2020
COVID‑19: potential liability of directors and officers of insolvent companies
The COVID-19 pandemic raises unique challenges not only for companies generally, but for their directors and officers personally. Corporate insolvency may be a looming and unexpected threat in the face of restricted operations and the liquidity crunch resulting from significant revenue declines (including from sales declines and challenges collecting receivables) and increased costs (such as […]
07.04.2020
Expedited production in Canada of goods to combat COVID-19 and potential exposure to future claims
Life sciences companies are contributing to the global fight against COVID-19, including by manufacturing and distributing urgently needed personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gowns necessary for frontline workers, and medical devices, such as test kits and respirators. Health Canada has in turn taken steps to expedite approvals of certain products that can […]
03.04.2020
Moving disputes forward during COVID-19: the arbitration option
The COVID-19 pandemic, and the physical (social) distancing measures implemented to help fight it, have meant that courts have had to limit their operations (see our full overview on court access in Canada during the COVID-19 crisis). While some urgent court hearings are proceeding virtually and some courts are taking steps to expand the availability […]
03.04.2020
Liability risks to business in the COVID-19 era
The COVID-19 pandemic has radically, if temporarily, changed the way that Canadians live, work, save, shop and play. Physical (social) distancing and the associated measures that come with it have changed a reasonably favourable business environment into a world where only essential/priority services remain open to the public, and most people are restricted to working […]
03.04.2020
Impact of COVID-19 on Canadian courts and litigation deadlines
Courts across Canada have limited their operations, and access to the court system, in order to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of court users and staff. Filing deadlines (and, in two provinces, limitation periods) have also been suspended or modified. This bulletin provides an overview of changes to […]
02.04.2020
COVID-19: Canadian federal tax changes and announcements
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted tax-related measures and announcements from the Government of Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Tax Court of Canada (Tax Court) on an unprecedented scale, including economic relief for businesses and individuals, deferrals of due dates for certain upcoming tax filing and payment obligations, and the temporary suspension of […]
02.04.2020
COVID-19 and the workplace: new details on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
On March 30, 2020 and April 1, 2020, the federal government announced the details of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) for employers. While the CEWS remains subject to parliamentary approval, the key details as proposed are summarized below (for details on tax issues related to the CEWS, read our bulletin here). Further information relating […]