COVID-19 Resource Centre

BLG is committed to keeping you informed on the business issues emerging from COVID-19. Below are the latest legal and regulatory updates organized by area/industry for easy reference.

In addition, we invite you to send your government financing queries to: [email protected]. We will respond, on a complimentary basis, to simple questions. For more detailed queries, we will refer you to the right BLG resource.

COVID-19: Breaking developments and essential resources

Mandatory vaccination in businesses: developments in Ontario and Québec – and the road ahead — March 8, 2022
New Critical Worker Exemption in Alberta allows workers with COVID-19 to attend work — January 13, 2022
Ontario court rejects injunction request brought by employees against COVID-19 vaccine policy — November 4, 2021
WorkSafeBC – COVID-19 safety plans to communicable disease prevention in the workplace — July 5, 2021
Infectious disease emergency leave and common law constructive dismissal claims — May 7, 2021
COVID-19 and claiming home office expenses for employees — March 19, 2021
The right to bare arms: Considerations for COVID-19 vaccines in the workplace — February 17, 2021
The COVID 19 vaccine: Considerations for Canadian employers — February 9, 2021
Canadian government updates COVID-19 travel restrictions — February 5, 2021
Negative COVID-19 test required for those flying to Canada — January 6, 2021
Mandatory COVID-19 testing found reasonable in Ontario care home — December 17, 2020
When your employees work outside Canada: Income tax help for Canadian employers — November 30, 2020
When your employees work in Canada: Income tax help for non-Canadian employers — November 30, 2020
Can a Québec employer force employees to get the future COVID-19 vaccination? — October 5, 2020
CRA consults stakeholders on employee work-from-home expense deduction — September 14, 2020
CERB and EI changes: What employers and workers need to know — August 31, 2020
COVID-19 - Provincial and territorial action plans for reopening — July 31, 2020 (latest update)
Substantial changes announced to the CEWS program — July 17, 2020
Mandatory masks and face coverings: What Québec employers need to know — July 15, 2020
COVID-19 and an employee's right to refuse work — July 6, 2020
Back to business with BLG: Maximizing intellectual property — June 19, 2020
Virtual workplace investigations: The “next normal” - Postponing the investigation vs. proceeding by virtual means — June 18, 2020
COVID-19 - Provincial and territorial action plans for reopening — July 30, 2020
COVID-19: Guidance for Canadian employers on reopening retail stores — June 9, 2020
COVID-19 en milieu de travail : les conséquences pour l’employeur qui n’assure pas un environnement sécuritaire à ses travailleurs — June 5, 2020 (In French)
Ontario government addresses temporary layoffs during the COVID-19 period — June 2, 2020
Federal Government encouraging provinces to recognize 10-Day paid sick leave — May 27, 2020
COVID-19: Key considerations for U.S. companies in Canada — May 14, 2020
Coming out of the COVID-19 lockdown: issues and challenges facing Canadian employers — April 29, 2020
Canada emergency wage subsidy: Summary & practical guide for employers — April 13, 2020
COVID-19 legal perspectives: Business risks and business management — April 13, 2020
Emergency legislative amendments to support Alberta’s oil and gas sector — April 8, 2020
New COVID-19 wage subsidies for Canadian employers — April 3, 2020
COVID-19 Legal Perspectives: Workplace issues — April 1, 2020
COVID-19 Plan administration issues: Actions from Federal and Ontario Pension Regulators — April 1, 2020
COVID-19: issues for the Canadian oil & gas industry — March 30, 2020
Employers and the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Response Act — March 26, 2020
“Priority commercial enterprises”: What should you do if employees exercise their right of refusal on account of COVID-19? — March 25, 2020
COVID-19: Ontario government passes new emergency leave legislation — March 20, 2020
COVID-19 and Alberta employer obligations — March 20, 2020
Canada to restrict entry of most foreign travellers in response to COVID-19 — March 17, 2020
COVID-19 and the workplace: FAQs for employers — March 16, 2020
Managing the risks of novel coronavirus in schools — March 10, 2020
Employer strategies for managing novel coronavirus risks in the workplace — March 3, 2020
Novel Coronavirus outbreak: Legal and practical insights and perspectives — January 30, 2020

Réclamations pour interruptions des affaires en contexte de COVID-19 : une première décision canadienne en appel — December 7, 2021 (in French)
Ontario court rejects injunction request brought by employees against COVID-19 vaccine policy — November 4, 2021
Ontario’s expanded COVID-19 enforcement order and random police stop powers — April 22, 2021
Court defers to COVID-19 regulations in Hudson’s Bay v. Ontario — April 7, 2021
Managing the privacy risks of virtual health care — March 12, 2021
Achieving clarity in contracts and arbitration agreements — February 25, 2021
Investigation and enforcement powers under Ontario's new "stay-at-home" order — January 15, 2021
Ontario passes Bill 218 to provide COVID-19 liability protection — December 16, 2020
COVID-19 2020 year-end class actions update and forecast — November 27, 2020
Decision to strike jury due to COVID-19 upheld by Court of Appeal — October 29, 2020
Virtual discoveries 101: Eight tips for the COVID-19 age — July 30, 2020
Game On: Reopening sports and recreation during COVID-19 — June 5, 2020
Climate change litigation and disclosure implications during COVID-19 — June 5, 2020
COVID-19, sports and waivers: How to limit the risk of legal liability in the “new normal” — May 19, 2020
COVID-19 Legal Perspectives: Virtual Disputes: Changes, Options and Best Practices — May 13, 2020
Product advertising and marketing in the time of COVID-19 — May 8, 2020
Virtual disputes: Best practices and benefits — May 4, 2020
Corporate communications with government in the pandemic: Maintaining compliance with lobbying laws — April 30, 2020
COVID-19 privacy considerations for Ontario's health care sector — April 22, 2020
Court defers to hospital’s decision-making during pandemic — April 22, 2020
Operators’ remedies in uncertain economic times — April 21, 2020
Canadian oil and gas: Non-operators' remedies — April 17, 2020
COVID-19: The exceptional right to renegotiate the terms of a contract in the absence of a force majeure — April 14, 2020
Timelines for Alberta builders’ liens during the COVID-19 state of emergency — April 13, 2020
COVID-19 class actions forecast — April 13, 2020
COVID-19: Shareholder and corporate disputes — April 13, 2020
COVID-19 medical devices and implications for Québec sellers and importers — April 9, 2020
3D printing during COVID-19 — April 6, 2020
Dispute management during COVID-19: Moving from litigation to arbitration — March 30, 2020
COVID-19: Issues for the Canadian oil & gas industry — March 30, 2020
Virtual and hybrid shareholder meetings in response to COVID-19 — March 26, 2020
Canadian ports remain open amidst COVID-19 pandemic — March 25, 2020
Suspension of limitation periods and procedural timelines during COVID-19 in Canada — March 24, 2020
COVID-19: Is your company insured for business interruptions? — March 23, 2020
CSA's response to COVID-19 disruption to financial market participants — March 19, 2020
COVID-19 update from IIROC and the MFDA — March 18, 2020
Coronavirus and criminal law: What you need to know — March 12, 2020
Contractual risks amid the COVID-19 outbreak — March 11, 2020

Transaction considerations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic — January 22, 2021
CRA moves forward with international audits despite continued backlog — January 20, 2021
Valuation issues and nil Premium transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic — November 10, 2020
M&A considerations for companies in financial distress — October 21, 2020
M&A board considerations for acquirors — September 23, 2020
Investment Management: COVID-19 and Beyond — June 16, 2020
Ontario amends Emergency Order to provide corporations with additional relief and clarity for delayed and virtual AGMs — May 5, 2020
The impact of COVID-19 on M&A transactions — April 30, 2020
Client-focused registrant reform deadlines postponed due to COVID-19 — April 20, 2020
COVID-19: Seven things directors should consider in a crisis — April 17, 2020
Welcome to the cash machine: The rising popularity of ATMs in Canada — April 15, 2020
COVID-19 and corporate governance: leading proxy advisors weigh in — April 7, 2020
Share buybacks during COVID-19: Considerations for public companies — April 7, 2020
Virtual and hybrid shareholder meetings in response to COVID-19 — March 26, 2020
CSA's response to COVID-19 disruption to financial market participants — March 19, 2020 (updated June 1, 2020)
COVID-19 update from IIROC and the MFDA — March 18, 2020
Novel coronavirus and the impact on public disclosure requirements — March 10, 2020

Ontario extends temporary suspension period to May 31, 2021 to allow for virtual AGMs — October 22, 2020 (updated April 26, 2021)
CRA consults stakeholders on employee work-from-home expense deduction — September 14, , 2020
COVID-19 - Provincial and territorial action plans for reopening — July 31, 2020 (latest update)
Refunds and returns in the COVID-19 era — July 24, 2020
Reopening dental practices during COVID-19 — June 17, 2020
COVID-19 Emergency Financing - An overview of CEBA and LEEFF — May 22, 2020
Electronic meetings of local government bodies during the COVID-19 pandemic — May 21, 2020
Ontario amends Emergency Order to provide corporations with additional relief and clarity for delayed and virtual AGMs — May 8, 2020
Virtual disputes: Best practices and benefits — May 4, 2020
The impact of COVID-19 on M&A transactions — April 30, 2020
New details about the planned transparency register for B.C. companies — April 21, 2020
COVID-19: Seven things directors should consider in a crisis — April 17, 2020
Governance advice during COVID-19 — April 14, 2020
COVID-19: Shareholder and corporate disputes — April 13, 2020
Ontario extends annual shareholder meeting dates and allows virtual meetings during state of emergency — April 9, 2020
Emergency legislative amendments to support Alberta’s oil and gas sector — April 8, 2020
COVID-19: Raising capital in the current Canadian private market — March 31, 2020
COVID-19: issues for the Canadian oil & gas industry — March 30, 2020
COVID-19: Is your company insured for business interruptions? — March 23, 2020
Coronavirus and criminal law: What you need to know — March 12, 2020

Ontario COVID-19 commission suggests public-private LTC model in final report — July 5, 2021
Covid-19, One Year Later: Legal perspectives — June 1, 2021
Managing the privacy risks of virtual health care — March 12, 2021
Ontario hospital visitor restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic: December 2020 update — December 17, 2020
Mandatory COVID-19 testing found reasonable in Ontario care home — December 17, 2020
Virtual discoveries 101: Eight tips for the COVID-19 age — July 30, 2020
Product advertising and marketing in the time of COVID-19 — May 8, 2020
Court defers to hospital’s decision-making during pandemic — April 22, 2020
COVID-19 privacy considerations for Ontario's health care sector — April 22, 2020
COVID-19 medical devices and implications for Québec sellers and importers — April 9, 2020
3D printing during COVID-19 — April 6, 2020
Spotlight on medical devices in the age of COVID-19 — April 2, 2020
COVID-19 Emergency Response Act and IP Rights — March 26, 2020
Novel Coronavirus outbreak: Legal and practical insights and perspectives — January 30, 2020

Tenant bankruptcies in the COVID-19 era: tenant bankruptcy and letters of credit — March 25, 2021
Federal government announces low-interest loans for businesses hit hard by COVID-19 — January 28, 2021
Ontario declares second state of emergency, issues stay-at-home order — January 13, 2021
COVID-19 and Ontario mortgage enforcement practices — November 17, 2020
New Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) Program — November 4, 2020 (updated November 23, 2020)
Details announced on the Canada emergency rent subsidy — October 9, 2020
Tenant bankruptcies in the COVID-19 era: Security deposits, prepaid rent and distress rights — September 15, 2020
COVID-19 Renders “Peaceful Enjoyment” impossible and relieves tenant from obligation to pay rent — July 23, 2020
Development approvals during the COVID-19 pandemic — June 15, 2020
Electronic meetings of local government bodies during the COVID-19 pandemic — May 21, 2020
Details announced on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program — May 20, 2020
Managing COVID-19 and its fallout — May 6, 2020
COVID-19: Seven things directors should consider in a crisis — April 17, 2020
COVID-19: issues for the Canadian oil & gas industry — March 30, 2020
Rent deferment agreements in light of COVID-19 — March 27, 2020
COVID-19 and the landlord/tenant relationship — March 20, 2020

Canadian energy oil and gas: Top 20 of 2020 - Regulatory decisions — February 16, 2021
Canadian energy oil and gas: Top 20 of 2020 - Judicial decisions — February 10, 2021
Department of Finance proposes relaxed flow-through share rules — August 18, 2020
Climate change litigation and disclosure implications during COVID-19 — June 5, 2020
Operators’ remedies in uncertain economic times — April 21, 2020
Canadian oil and gas: Non-operators' remedies — April 17, 2020
Emergency legislative amendments to support Alberta’s oil and gas sector — April 8, 2020
COVID-19: issues for the Canadian oil & gas industry — March 30, 2020

Tenant bankruptcies in the COVID-19 era: tenant bankruptcy and letters of credit — March 25, 2021
Peaks and valleys: MEC’S struggle to survive in a hostile retail market — December 2, 2020
COVID-19 and Ontario mortgage enforcement practices — November 17, 2020
Tenant bankruptcies in the COVID-19 era: Security deposits, prepaid rent and distress rights — September 15, 2020
Managing COVID-19 and its fallout — May 6, 2020
The Economic Impact of COVID-19: Practical strategies for Canadian businesses — March 31, 2020
COVID-19: issues for the Canadian oil & gas industry — March 31, 2020
Insolvency: Warning signs of financial distress — March 31, 2020

CRA updates to COVID-19 relief guidelines and travel restrictions — May 6, 2021
COVID-19 and claiming home office expenses for employees — March 19, 2021
CRA moves forward with international audits despite continued backlog — January 20, 2021
CRA releases improved guidelines for employee home office expense deductions — December 15, 2020
When your employees work outside Canada: Income tax help for Canadian employers — November 30, 2020
When your employees work in Canada: Income tax help for non-Canadian employers — November 30, 2020
CRA audit activities for COVID-19 financial relief programs — November 2, 2020
CRA consults stakeholders on employee work-from-home expense deduction — September 14, 2020
The Sensor: Raising financing during turbulent times: The takeaways — August 27, 2020
Department of Finance proposes relaxed flow-through share rules — August 18, 2020
2020’s economic and fiscal snapshot reveals no new taxes – for now — July 20, 2020
Substantial changes announced to the CEWS program — July 17, 2020
COVID-19: Key considerations for U.S. companies in Canada — May 14, 2020
Help may be on the way: Deduction of home office expenses for employees required to work from home — May 1, 2020 (updated July 31, 2020)
Latest developments on FACTA and CRS compliance — April 30, 2020
Virtual witnessing of wills and powers of attorney — April 14, 2020
Canada emergency wage subsidy: Summary & practical guide for employers — April 13, 2020
New COVID-19 wage subsidies for Canadian employers — April 3, 2020
COVID-19: Top five tax questions for individuals and businesses answered — March 19, 2020
Federal government introduces COVID-19 Economic Response Plan — March 19, 2020

Ontario extends temporary suspension period to allow virtual AGMs for Corporations Act companies — October 23, 2020
Charities and Not-for-Profit COVID-19 Update — May 21, 2020
Governance advice during COVID-19 — April 14, 2020
Ontario charities: Accessing restricted funds during the COVID-19 pandemic — April 1, 2020
Corporations Canada issues guidelines for AGMs during COVID-19 — March 27, 2020
Charities Directorate response to COVID-19 — March 25, 2020

Failing firm is not enough: Competition Bureau outlines approach to acquisitions of failing businesses — April 30, 2020
Government announces “enhanced scrutiny” of foreign investments as a result of COVID-19 — April 21, 2020
Competition Bureau addresses COVID-19 competitor collaborations — April 9, 2020
Price gouging in a pandemic – What Canadian provinces are doing to stop it — April 6, 2020

Managing the privacy risks of virtual health care — March 12, 2021
Information privacy and security in a virtual learning world — November 16, 2020
“Schrems II”: Impacts on agreements involving processing personal data outside the EEA — 30 juillet 2020 (en anglais)
Canadian Privacy Commissioner guidance for videoconferencing — May 11, 2020
Cybersecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic — April 28, 2020
COVID-19 class actions forecast — April 13, 2020
Managing privacy and cyber risks during a pandemic — March 30, 2020

Ontario won't require student immunization against COVID-19 — November 4, 2021
Changes to COVID-19 safety requirements: Takeaways for Ontario employers & schools — October 7, 2020
Ontario Ministry of Education releases operational guidance for managing COVID-19 cases — September 2, 2020
Ontario educational institutions: COVID-19 and the close contact problem — August 26, 2020
Canada-wide summary of COVID-19 education updates — July 31, 2020 (latest update)

Federal financial institutions legislative and regulatory reporter – November 2020 — December 18, 2020
When your employees work outside Canada: Income tax help for Canadian employers — November 30, 2020
When your employees work in Canada: Income tax help for non-Canadian employers — 30 novembre 2020
COVID-19 and Ontario mortgage enforcement practices — November 17, 2020
2020 Spotlight on alternative mutual funds – opportunities ahead — September 10, 2020
Investment Management: COVID-19 and Beyond — June 16, 2020
COVID-19 Emergency Financing - An overview of CEBA and LEEFF — May 22, 2020
Current considerations for PE-Backed companies beyond MAC and force majeure clauses — May 21, 2020

COVID-19: Breaking developments and essential resources

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Stay up-to-date on how your business may be affected by COVID-19 with breaking developments across Canada, as well as resources for various sectors from all levels of government.

Covid-19, One Year Later: Legal perspectives

One year after the pandemic began, we share our learnings and our plans to continue to support companies in preparing for what comes next.

COVID-19 Legal Perspectives: Workplace issues

Lawyers from BLG’s Labour & Employment Group addressed workplace issues related to COVID-19 to help businesses through and beyond this crisis.

COVID-19 Legal Perspectives: Your Questions Answered

BLG’s subject matter experts from key areas addressed common questions to help businesses through and beyond this crisis.