Employers and Work Place Concerns
- employers are mandated by law to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of their workers
- Implement local, provincial and federally recommended precautionary measures
- take proactive measures to do a full clean and sanitization of the office space
- take special care in respect of individuals that are particularly vulnerable
- restrict all in-person or all non-essential meetings
- restrict all business or all non-essential business travel
- send employees home who are exhibiting symptoms
- employees who exhibit symptoms should be paid for their 14 days of self-isolation
- accommodate employees who need time off for childcare during school closures with work from home or flexible hours
Note that the recommendations set out above are general guidelines and that the employer’s duty is subject to a number of legislations, regulations and common law principles. Employers are encouraged to contact us to seek advice.
Wills and Estate Planning during the Pandemic
The government of Ontario passed legislation that allows for wills and powers of attorney to be signed virtually and in counterparts. The testator or donor and the witnesses who will be in different locations, can sign on separate complete and identical copies of the will or powers of attorney. Together, these copies constitute the will or power of attorney. To be valid in the law, for both wills and powers of attorney executed and witnessed virtually, one witness must be an Ontario-licensed lawyer or paralegal at the time of signing.
Contact us to schedule a virtual Will or Power of Attorney.
New Measures Affect Creditors and the Construction Industry
By an Order in Council, limitation periods and procedural time lines for proceedings in Ontario are currently suspended, retroactive to March 16, 2020. The Order applies to limitation periods and procedural deadlines that are established by Ontario statutes, regulations, rules and by-laws, but does not apply to limitation periods set out in contracts, or in Federal law or the laws of other provinces.
For example, on April 9, 2020, the government amended the Order, such that as of April 16, 2020, the terms of the Order no longer apply to provisions under the Construction Act or its regulations establishing limitation periods or a period of time within which any step must be taken in a proceeding, including an intended proceeding. In effect, limitation periods were suspended from March 16, 2020 to April 16, 2020. Time started to run again on April 16th, with the same amount of time to meet deadlines as there had been on March 16, 2020.
If there is an upcoming deadline, consider issuing a claim as soon as possible. Even when court offices are physically closed, certain courts have e-filing options. Consult court websites for COVID-19 Notices and Updates.
Need Our Help?
Contact us at (647) 508-2868 or inquiries@cotelawfirm.ca for a free consultation with a senior lawyer who can help answer your questions. We provide legal services for businesses and individuals.
Cote Law Firm continues to provide legal services during the pandemic following strict safety guidelines. We offer virtual meetings, telephone, and online consultations.