The provincial government announced the deferral or waiver of a number of fees, as well as steps to reduce regulatory burden
The deferral of more than $6 million in fees will help ease some of the operational pressures facing businesses and free-up cash flow in these uncertain times
The province is permitting Ontario corporations to conduct virtual meetings and to defer certain annual meetings in specified circumstances and is allowing the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services to accept copies of documents, electronic signatures on documents, and electronic filing of documents
The government is providing an Ontario Tools Grant of $2.5 million in 2020-21 and $7.5 million in 2021-22 and ongoing
The government is also forgiving more than $10 million in outstanding loans owed by apprentices for tool purchases made at the beginning of their careers
The government is also investing nearly $2 million to open a Virtual Action Centre in partnership with UNITE HERE Local 75. This virtual job training resource will provide up to 7,000 unemployed workers in the hospitality sector with access to a wide range of services and supports online and over the phone
The Manitoba government is examining additional steps to gradually continue to safely restore services and open additional businesses while ensuring physical distancing measures remain in place
Work is underway on the next phase of the plan to re-open the provincial economy. The target date to begin Phase 3 of Re-Open Saskatchewan is June 8, 2020
In Phase 3, restaurants and licensed establishments will be able to open at 50 per cent capacity. Gyms and fitness facilities will also be able to open for business, as will childcare facilities and places of worship – subject to guidelines that are being developed. Personal service businesses that did not open in Phase 2 are also allowed to begin providing services
Guidelines are currently being developed for restaurants and licensed establishments, and gyms and fitness facilities. They will be included in the updated plan, which will be available at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open
Starting May 25, hairstyling and barbershops will be permitted to reopen in Calgary and Brooks, and cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars can reopen for table service at 50 per cent capacity
The province is temporarily authorizing the expansion of service areas, such as patios, to support physical distancing requirements
To support businesses in their reopening efforts, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation branch (LCRB) will now permit food-primary, liquor-primary and manufacturer licensees, such as wineries, breweries and distilleries, to apply through a simplified online process to temporarily expand their service areas until Oct. 31, 2020
