Federal Government: 

• temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program 
• Changes to the program for this year include:
  • an increase to the wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee
  • an extension to the end date for employment to February 28, 2021
  • allowing employers to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services
  • allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis

Prince Edward Island: 

• The commercial fishing industry is federally regulated and the province is calling on the federal government to ensure a timely and equitable decision on the future of the spring season 
• The province is working with its regional and federal counterparts, as well as the fisheries, aquaculture, and processing sectors, to address industry concerns and develop supports and programs for all sectors 
• The province is also extending the deadline for Jobs for Youth to April 30 to allow employers ample time to apply for wage subsidies from this program 

New Brunswick: 

• The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission released online information to help residents understand their rights and obligations under the Human Rights Act during the COVID-19 pandemic 

Manitoba: 

• The province announced a new, $5-million COVID-19 research fund through Research Manitoba
• Local clinical and scientific researchers and senior officials from the Manitoba government, Shared Health and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) have identified several new research projects 
  • These include: 
    • Test possible treatments in clinical trials 
    • Better understand how the disease is developing in Manitoba 
    • Better understand how the health system needs to react to different complications that are emerging around the world 
• The Manitoba government is urgently seeking the following items to support the province’s response COVID-19:
  • nitrile gloves 
  • vinyl gloves 
• The province is specifically looking to purchase gloves and other medical supplies from the health and wellness industry 
  • Businesses such as dentist offices, salons, therapy clinics or all other groups that are no longer using personal protective equipment are asked to contact the provincial government immediately 

Saskatchewan: 

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released the next phase of the COVID-19 Response Plan