Human Capital and COVID-19 - Information for Staff Members

Updated March 23rd, 2020

For information pertinent to owners, managers, and leaders, please refer to our page here.

Dear Members:

We understand that this is a challenging time for you; the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world. Restrictions on physical interaction to limit the spread of COVID-19 have led to a suspension of fertility services with no prediction for when services will resume. We have compiled the following resources to help you navigate your way through this very difficult time.

Benefits and Services

Employment Insurance: The wait to apply has been waived and you can apply immediately as soon as you have your ROE (record of employment) from your employer. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/apply.html 

Emergency Care and Emergency Support: not available until April 2020

Canada Child Benefit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview.html 

Canada Student Loans: Effective March 30, 2020, all student loan borrowers will automatically have their repayments suspended until September 30, 2020. No need to apply.

Economic Response Plan:

Economic measures to help stabilize the economy during this challenging period including potential options for workers include temporary income support for workers and parents, longer-term income support for workers, income support for those who need it most, flexibility for taxpayers, encouraging flexibility of financial institutions, and mortgage default management tools. Additional information can be found here:

COVID-19 Economic Response Plan - Canadians and Businesses

Additional Resources:

Federal Government Resources:
Gov. Canada – Resources for Canadian Businesses: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaingrowimprovebusiness/resources-for-canadian-businesses.html 

Public Service Alliance of Canada - COVID-19: Your rights at work: http://psacunion.ca/covid-19-your-rights-work

Provincial Government Resources:

Alberta

https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-supports-for-albertans.aspx 

British Columbia

Employee Benefits:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/careers-myhr/all-employees/pay-benefits/benefits 

B.C. Gov. Canada - Employment Standards: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards 

Manitoba

https://www.gov.mb.ca/csc/labour/benefits/benefits.html 

New Brunswick

https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.11235.Employment_Insurance_(EI)_and_Regular_Benefits.html 

https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/post-secondary_education_training_and_labour/People/content/EmploymentStandards.html 

Newfoundland

https://workplacenl.ca/workers/  

Nova Scotia

https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/employernowork.asp 

Ontario

Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020: https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/ 

The Ontario Legislature has passed the Bill 186 to provide unpaid job-protected emergency leave to employees in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, or those who need to be away from work to care for children because of school or day care closures or to care for other relatives.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB):

https://www.wsib.ca/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-update 

Your Law Guide in Ontario:

https://stepstojustice.ca/covid-19

Quebec

https://www.cnt.gouv.qc.ca/accueil/index.html

Saskatchewan

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/employment-standards/layoffs-and-termination 

Please note, while we are unable to determine whether our members are eligible for these support options, we encourage those who require assistance to explore these options.