Daily COVID-19 Update: June 5, 2020

Announcements on Stage 2 to be announced soon

This week, Premier Kenney indicated that, “with the number of active COVID-19 cases continuing to decline, Alberta may be able to speed up plans to move into Stage 2 of its relaunch strategy." A subsequent update on any revisions to the relaunch timeline is expected next week. Businesses and services currently slated to re-open in Stage 2 include: 

• Potential opening of K-12 schools, with restrictions 
• Libraries, with restrictions 
• More surgeries scheduled, including backlog elimination 
• Services offered by some allied health disciplines like acupuncture and massage therapy. 
• More personal services like artificial tanning, aesthetics, cosmetic skin and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments and reflexology. 
• Movie theaters and theaters, with restrictions. 

If you are planning to re-open in Stage 2, we encourage you to review our 5 Steps to Relaunch for guides and resources to help you do so safely. 

Further clarification provided on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) Program 

CMHC has specified that the CECRA for small businesses is available to property owners who do not hold a mortgage. In addition, property owners of newly constructed or recently purchased properties may also qualify for the CECRA for small businesses, provided the other program requirements are met, including having entered into a lease with an eligible tenant on or before April 1, 2020.

Ending the fear of commercial tenant eviction

Many Alberta businesses are facing challenges paying their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to feel the economic pressure even as their businesses reopen. To help ease the economic pinch, government is planning further measures including legislation to ensure commercial tenants will not face rent increases or be evicted for non-payment of rent due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The new measures will help address shortfalls in the current Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program, and will give eligible business owners piece of mind as they reopen and help with the provincial economic recovery. Additional details are expected to be finalized during the current summer session.

New provincial grants will ease relaunch costs faced by businesses

As businesses and organizations begin to reopen, the increased cost to operate under public health requirements are causing further stress among business owners and non-profits. To ease the impacts of new measures, the provincial Government is committing up to $200 million in funding for eligible businesses and non-profits to access up to $5,000 to offset a portion of their relaunch costs to provide support during the relaunch. These funds can be used for implementing measures to minimize the risk of virus transmission, (such as physical barriers, personal protective equipment and disinfecting supplies), rent, employee wages or replacement of inventory. The program’s online application is expected to be available in the coming weeks. Program details, including eligibility, are being confirmed.

WCB premiums deferral for private sector businesses and support for small and medium businesses

As announced in March, government is committed to easing the economic burden on businesses by deferring WCB premiums. Private sector employers are saving money on their WCB premium payments now, when they need it most. These actions ensure the sustainability of the workers’ compensation system and that injured workers continue to receive the benefits and supports they need to return to work.

• Private sector employers have immediate financial relief, with WCB premiums deferred for one year, until early 2021.
• Employers who have already paid their WCB premium payment for 2020-21 are eligible for a rebate or credit.
• For small and medium businesses, the government is covering 50 percent of the premium when it is due. 
  • The average small business is expected to save about $1,000 this year.
  • The average medium business is expected to save about $20,000 this year.
• Large employers are receiving a break having their 2020 WCB premium payments deferred until 2021, at which time their premiums will be due.

See the list of previously announced additional supports for small businesses here.

Supporting Alberta’s beekeepers during COVID-19

In response to the recent challenges faced by Alberta’s beekeepers, Agriculture and Forestry is introducing a new Canadian Agricultural Partnership program to help beekeepers offset the costs of increased colony replacements due to COVID-19. The program, available this summer, will be retroactive to cover issues faced in spring 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic has made importing colony replacements from usual, more affordable sources like New Zealand and Australia more difficult. Program details are still being developed, but producers are encouraged to subscribe to Alberta’s Canadian Agricultural Partnership site, where information will be shared as it becomes available.

Tourism HR Canada - 10-Point Workforce Recovery Plan

With tourism businesses starting to reopen, many need clarity in understanding how to proceed, particularly with physical distancing requirements and maintaining the health and safety of workers and customers. Tourism HR Canada has developed 10-Point Workforce Recovery Plan aimed at helping the tourism sector rebound by ensuring it has a post-COVID-ready workforce.

Tender Opportunity

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has a requirement for face shields. The face shields must be made in accordance specifications listed in the request for proposal. These items will be delivered to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Firm quantity: five million, plus options. More information

Supports for Canadians with disabilities to address challenges from COVID-19

The government today announced support to help Canadians with disabilities deal with extra expenses during the pandemic.

This support includes a special one-time, tax-free payment to individuals who are certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit as of June 1, 2020, as follows:

• $600 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate.  
• $300 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.
• $100 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the OAS pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

Combined with the special payments of $300 for Canadians who are eligible for the OAS pension and the additional $200 for those eligible for the GIS, all seniors with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate will receive a total of $600 in special payments. People who are eligible for this special payment will receive it automatically

Safely Saving COVID-19 Samples for Research

Health partners are building a safe biorepository to preserve COVID-19 samples long-term to support world-class medical research in combatting the virus.

The new biorepository is now safely collecting, cataloguing and storing samples in sophisticated refrigeration equipment. There will be two hubs – one at the University of Alberta and the other at the University of Calgary. Dozens of Alberta-based researchers working on more than 30 Alberta research projects need the COVID-19 samples to explore things like rapid point-of-care testing, drugs, antibody testing, and genome sequencing. Some studies involve collaborations with scientists across North America. More information

200 Ventilators Donated to Help Save Lives

Local businesses have joined forces to donate 200 high-tech ventilators to Alberta Health Services, supporting life-saving treatment for all Albertans.

Calgary advanced technology firm Exergy Solutions designed and built the ventilators. Suncor Energy provided financial support to make the donation possible. A cross-industry team of partners from across the province worked together to ensure the success of the project. More information

Government Delays Divorce Act Amendments 

Today, government announced the delay of the coming into force of changes to the Divorce Act, which was scheduled for July 1, 2020. Due to extraordinary circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the coming into force date has been deferred until March 1, 2021.

Border Services Reminds Recreational Boaters that now is not the time to cross the border for discretionary reasons

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds all boaters that crossing the border for recreation or tourism is currently prohibited.

The Government of Canada has introduced border measures to limit the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada, including the restriction of all discretionary travel into Canada.

With the onset of warmer weather, boat and pleasure craft owners may be inclined to take their boats across the border on inland or coastal waterways, or to come to their cottages in Canada. These activities are considered discretionary (non-essential) travel according to temporary travel restrictions currently in place, and are, therefore, prohibited. Boaters are still permitted to navigate across international waters if needed, but are not allowed to enter Canadian territorial or boundary waters for discretionary, leisure (non-essential) reasons, including entry for touring, sightseeing and pleasure fishing. More information