In an effort to keep all businesses in the region aware of supports and programs related to Covid-19 measures, we are working together as a region to provide information important to you. This information will be updated for the most recent releases that come available.
For Additional Business Support Links and Updates Please Visit: https://startinsturgeon.ca/Services/COVID-19-Toolkit
Provincial Government Resources
The Alberta Government has provided a set of ten POSTER TO SUPPORT AWARENESS and actions that can be taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta, please download or print!
publications/covid-19-information-help-prevent-the-spread-poster
Here is some valuable information from the Government of Alberta on Employment rules changes:
We’re acting quickly to protect Albertans by implementing paid, job-protected leave. Details of how these changes will take effect will be provided in the coming days.
Changes to the Employment Standards Code will allow employees to take 14 days of paid, job-protected leave if they are:
- required to self-isolate or sick or caring for a loved one with COVID-19
To be eligible, employees:
- will not be required to have a medical note
- do not need to have worked for an employer for 90 days
This leave covers the self-isolation period recommended by Alberta’s chief medical officer. We recognize this could put pressure on employers and are working towards a solution to address these challenges.
Business continuity plans
Employers should consider their business continuity plans and how COVID-19 could impact their workplace. To prepare, make plans to:
- protect employees
- limit spread in workplaces
- ensure continuity of critical services if staff are ill or self-isolating
- explore alternate working arrangements, such as:
o working from home or remotely
o doing work that doesn’t require contact with other people
Additional Provincial Resource Links Available at https://startinsturgeon.ca/Services/COVID-19-Toolkit OHS: Respiratory viruses and the workplace
Employment standards rules Business continuity planning WCB: COVID-19 worker fact sheet
WCB: COVID-19 employer fact sheet
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html
Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine, to allow them time to restore their health and return to work. Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. If you are eligible, visit the EI sickness benefits page to apply.
Service Canada is ready to support Canadians affected by COVID-19 and placed in quarantine, with the following support actions: · The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim
- Establishing a new dedicated toll-free phone number to support enquiries related to waiving the EI sickness benefits waiting period
- Priority EI application processing for EI sickness claims for clients under quarantine
- People claiming EI sickness benefits due to quarantine will not have to provide a medical certificate
- People who cannot complete their claim for EI sickness benefits due to quarantine may apply later and have their EI claim backdated to cover the period of delay
Contact the new dedicated toll-free phone number if you are in quarantine and seeking to waive the one-week EI sickness benefits waiting period so you can be paid for the first week of your claim:
- Telephone: 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free) · Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-529-3742
Work Sharing Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing/
The Work-Sharing program is implementing temporary special measures to support employers and employees affected by the downturn in business caused by COVID-19. The new temporary special measures are available to employers impacted directly or indirectly by COVID-19. The measures allows for eligible employers to retain skilled employees and workers to remain employed during the temporary downturn in business due to COVID-19. The temporary special measures will:
- extend the Work-Sharing agreements by an additional 38 weeks
- wave the mandatory waiting period between agreements
- ease the recovery plan requirements Access the Work-Sharing page to learn more about the program and its Access the Work-Sharing temporary special measures page to find out if you are eligible for temporary special measures.
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.