In this edition:
Local section 22 orders and letter of instruction being rescinded
Ontario introduces workplace changes with new legislation
Local municipalities to discontinue proof-of-vaccine requirements, Niagara Health permits visitors
Alectra offers financial support to businesses installing EV stations
Applications now being accepted for Youth Employment and Skills Program
Local section 22 orders and letter of instruction being rescinded
After reviewing the revised Ontario regulation 364/20 that will be in place to prevent COVID-19 come March 1, 2022, Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner (Acting) has determined that the local section 22 orders and letter of instructions in place for food premises, retail premises, as well as indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities are no longer likely to have significant effect with the removal of complementary provincial measures. Therefore, the determination has been made to rescind the orders and letter of instructions in these premises effective 12:01 a.m. on March 1, 2022.
As of March 1, there will be no additional local requirements for food premises, retail premises, or indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities in Niagara beyond the provincial regulations.
Niagara Region Public Health would like to thank everyone for their efforts and cooperation in implementing and following these measures. The ongoing diligence over the past two years has truly prevented infections and protected the health of many against COVID-19, the regional government stated.
Ontario introduces workplace changes with new legislation
Today, the Government of Ontario will introduce the Working for Workers Act, 2022 that would, if passed:
- Guarantee a minimum wage, protection of tips, resolution of disputes, and protection from reprisals to “gig economy” workers in ride-sharing, delivery, or courier services
- Ensure out-of-province workers can register in their regulated profession or trade within 30 days
- Mandate that larger employers establish and share policies with their employees on how they are monitoring electronic devices
- Require employers to provide a naloxone kit in workplaces where overdoses are a potential hazard
- Increase the maximum fines for operators and directors of businesses that fail to provide a safe work environment
- Expand military reservist leave to cover time spent training and reduce the amount of time they need to hold a job before they have it protected
- Clarify the treatment of many IT and business consultants under the Employment Standards Act
- Reduce barriers in the provision of traditional Chinese medicine
St. Catharines, Lincoln, Pelham, Port Colborne to discontinue proof-of-vaccine requirements, Niagara Health permits visitors
The City of St. Catharines, the Town of Lincoln, the Town of Pelham, the City of Port Colborne, in line with the Province’s next phase of reopening, will be removing the requirement for proof of vaccination to enter City facilities, as of March 1.
Additionally, Niagara Health will permit patients one visitor at their bedside from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from March 1.
Other municipal governments in Niagara had not shared their plans for vaccine mandates at municipal facilities at press time.
Alectra offers financial support to businesses installing EV stations
Alectra is now accepting applications from businesses seeking financial support to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
As a delivery partner in the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, Alectra can distribute up to 50% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $100,000 per project, for Level 2 and Fast Charging EV infrastructure installed in public places, on-street, in multi-unit residential buildings, at workplaces, and for light-duty vehicle fleets.
Organizations that meet NRCan’s funding eligibility criteria can apply now. Information for applicants, including timing, eligibility, covered costs, and full incentive details, is available at alectrautilities.com/zevip. Funding is limited. Interested businesses should apply as soon as possible.
Applications now being accepted for Youth Employment and Skills Program
Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of up to $3.7 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and support approximately 300 jobs for youth in the agriculture sector. The YESP aims to support agri-food employers and provide young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 with job experience in agriculture that could lead to a career working in the sector.
The YESP will support agriculture employers with the cost of hiring Canadian youth with an additional focus on those who face employment barriers. Eligible applicants include producers, agri-businesses, industry associations, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous organizations and research facilities.
Employers can apply between February 28, 2022 and March 21, 2022 for their project to be considered.
Reading Recommendations
Canada’s new travel rules explained
CBC News
Canada is easing several travel measures on Monday for people entering the country.
But some rules remain, including the pre-arrival COVID-19 test requirement, which means returning home from abroad can still be complicated and costly.
Here’s what you need to know if you have upcoming travel plans.
Update on Ukraine
Russia’s central bank doubles interest rates and closes stock market as rouble plunges
The Guardian
Russia’s central bank has more than doubled interest rates to 20% and refused to open the Moscow stock exchange as it sought to protect its economy from Ukraine-related sanctions that sent the value of the rouble plunging by a fifth.
Amid growing queues at cash machines across Russia, the central bank tried to prevent the currency falling further by increasing the main rate from 9.5% to 20% and preventing trading.
It went further by ordering domestic businesses to sell 80% of their dollar assets held abroad to circumvent a clampdown by the US and EU aimed at preventing the central bank from selling foreign holdings worth $640bn (£477bn) under its control to help the war effort.
With the invasion of Ukraine by Kremlin forces entering its fifth day on Monday, the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank spearheaded plans to effectively ban assets sales by Russia’s central bank.
Restrictions on trades using the Swift international trading system were agreed by the western powers over the weekend, in a move that targeted a range of commercial banks, including a ban on transactions by the central bank.
Canada foreign minister says more sanctions coming against Russia
Reuters
Canada’s foreign minister said on Monday that she and her G7 counterparts agreed over the weekend to take further action against Russia in response to its military actions in Ukraine, with more sanctions coming.
“We will take action. That’s what the G7 ministers agreed upon over the weekend… There will be more sanctions coming. And I’ll have more to say during the coming week,” Melanie Joly told reporters following a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting.
Niagara COVID-19 statistics tracker
Niagara COVID vaccination tracker
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Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.
