New Brunswick: 

• Job protection is now in place, retroactive to March 12, for those who are not able to work because they have COVID-19, are caring for a person with whom they have a close family relationship who has the virus, or are following self-isolation or quarantine protocols as directed by Public Health 
• The regulation also provides job protection for employees who cannot report to work because they are caring for their children due to school or daycare closures 
• Employees must request this emergency leave from their employers, in writing, as soon as possible. The request must include the reason for the leave, the anticipated start date and the duration of the leave 
• Employers are not required to pay employees while they are on a leave due to COVID-19 
• Details on job protection for workers are available online 
• WorkingNB services are available to any New Brunswick employer or job-seeker looking for support. Staff are available to provide services over the phone, and more options will be available in the near future 
• Businesses with human resource challenges, including with recruitment, retention or training, can contact WorkingNB for support through a workforce consultant 
• Workers seeking career or training opportunities can connect with an employment counsellor at WorkingNB. Counsellors can help clients identify career goals and connect them to the labour market through training and employment opportunities 
• More information about WorkingNB is available online 

Québec: 

• The Québec government announced that it will grant employers a credit on contributions to the Health Services Fund for employees on forced leave 
• This additional assistance, which offsets costs not covered by the federal government measure, will be active for the entire duration of the 12-week wage subsidy, which now extends from March 15 to June 6, 2020 
• View Information Bulletin for terms and conditions 

Ontario: 

• Ontario provincial government released safety guidelines for employers to help protect workers, customers and the public as it prepares for a gradual reopening of the provincial economy 
• The government safety guidelines released today will provide direction to 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  

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