• The House of Commons has passed the legislation that would create the announced emergency support program for students. The Senate will convene tomorrow (May 1st) to finalize the bill.
• Innovation Canada has launched a webpage to match businesses with support programs in an easy-to-use question-and-answer format.
• The Government of Ontario has released new safety guidelines to provide direction for those working in manufacturing, food manufacturing and processing, restaurant and food service, and the agricultural sector. These measures build on more than 60 guidelines developed by Ontario’s health and safety associations in response to COVID-19 for various sectors such as retail, health care, construction, transportation, police services, firefighters, and transit employees. The 61 sector-specific guidelines are available here from Ontario’s health and safety associations. Guidelines for construction are available here. These new sector-specific guidelines feature recommended actions employers can begin to plan for as they prepare to adapt to the new reality during COVID-19, including:
  • Ways to ensure appropriate physical distancing, like eliminating pay-at-the-door options, holding team meetings outdoors, staggering shift times and using ground markings and barriers to manage traffic flow.
  • Changes to the workplace, like installing plexiglass barriers, increasing the air intake on building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to increase air flow, and using boot sanitizing trays.
  • Promoting proper workplace sanitation, providing personal protective equipment, substituting dry dusting with vacuuming, ensuring customer-facing staff are given hand sanitizer, providing a place to dispose of sanitizing wipes, and enforcing handwashing before and after breaks.
• The Government of Ontario is also issuing posters to promote a variety of useful safety tips. The posters offer helpful advice on physical distancing and sanitation. They are downloadable from the Ontario.ca website so employers can print and post them in their workplaces.
• The Canadian Chamber of Commerce will host a webinar with KPMG’s Deal Advisory practice on Wednesday, May 6 at 2 p.m. to help you understand how businesses are thinking about their M&A strategies, succession and planning for the eventual rebound as we emerge from lock-down and deploy cash in an era of ultra-low interest rates. Registration is free.

Reading recommendations:

• Remdesivir: early findings on experimental coronavirus drug offer ‘quite good news’, Sarah Boseley, The Guardian
• Vaccines, antibodies, and beards: Your COVID-19 questions answered, Ania Bessonov, CBC
• Coronavirus and the Fallacy of the False Dilemma, Dr. Alex Berezow, American Council on Science and Health
• ‘Give us some guidelines’: Business groups push government for clarity on reopening, Geoff Zochodne, Financial Post
• Terminal Deflation Is Coming, Trevor Jackson, Foreign Policy

If you are showing symptoms, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days. Call a public health authority immediately. Do not visit any healthcare provider in person before you have been directly advised to by public health authorities.  

It is important that everyone practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of aCOVID-19. Remain at home unless absolutely necessary. Minimize contact with other people. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. Maintain a 2-meter distance from others if you are required to be out in public. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previous updates can be accessed here.

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.