This page includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions that Employers and Employees may have as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

EMPLOYERS

  • Why is the province issuing a stay-at-home order while also permitting curb-side pickup?
    This question assumes every single person in Ontario has easy access to online shopping or that there is a big-box retailer in their community. This isn’t the case for many Ontarians who live in rural and remote areas.
    We’ve learned a lot over the past year responding to this pandemic, including the fact that what may be essential to someone in Timmins and how they buy that item may not be essential to someone in downtown Toronto, who can easily buy items online for delivery. The Government of Ontario determining what retailers may be considered essential risks cutting off many Ontarians who don’t live in Toronto or an urban centre from access to necessary goods.
  • What is an essential item?
    The Government of Ontario cannot determine what is essential for every person in this province, each with their own unique circumstances and regional considerations. Legally defining what is essential risks cutting people off from goods that may legitimately be necessary for their health, well-being and safety.
  • What is an essential trip?
    The Government of Ontario cannot determine what is essential for every person in this province, each with their own unique circumstances and regional considerations. That said, we have provided broad categories that people should consider before leaving their home: food, health-care services, including medication, exercise or work, where someone’s job cannot be done at home.
  • What is essential work?
    The stay-at-home order does not define what work or jobs are essential. Rather, it now mandates that anyone who can work from home must now do so. For example, someone working in retail obviously can’t do their job from home and would be permitted to go to work.
  • Why hasn’t the province defined who can or should work from home?
    The Government of Ontario cannot review tens of millions of job descriptions to determine who can work from home. As such, we are relying on the best judgment and common sense of employers to determine who can do so. If an employee believes they should be working from home, they can contact the Ministry of Labour to file a health and safety complaint.
  • Why can people still gather in groups of five outdoors?
    The outdoor gathering limit of five is in recognition of the fact that some people live alone and may require the company or support of others for their mental and physical well-being. Anyone gathering outside is expected to adhere to physical distancing measures and are now strongly urged to wear a mask.
  • Can people leave home to exercise? Can I go to my local playground or basketball court?
    Yes, exercise is considered an essential reason for leaving your home. What that means will be unique to each individual Ontarian: some may wish to go for a walk around the block, while others may wish to go to a local basketball court with their household to shoot some hoops.
    We recommend that Ontarians consult their local public health unit or municipality to understand what recreational amenities are open in their community.
  • Can someone living alone still join up with another household?
    Yes, they can exclusively join one other household. This is to support their mental health and well-being, as well as to ensure those requiring support continue to have access to essential caregivers.
  • Is there a time limit for how long people can leave their homes?
    No. That said, we’re asking Ontarians to use their best judgement when leaving their home for essential reasons. They should limit the number of stores they go to and spend as little time outside of their home as possible.
  • Is there a limit on the number of times someone can leave their home in a day?
    No. That said, we’re asking Ontarians to use their best judgement when leaving their home for essential reasons. They should limit the number of stores they go to and spend as little time outside of their home as possible.
  • Can people travel to their cottages or secondary residences?
    Right now, we are asking people to stay home and only leave their home for essential purposes, which could include emergency maintenance of a secondary residence. In the spirit of the stay-at-home order, at this time we are not recommending intra-provincial travel.
  • How do I know which supports and programs are right for my business?
    The Government of Canada has launched an online portal directing businesses to the most appropriate programs and supports for their operations by answering a few quick questions.
    For more information CLICK HERE
  • How do I apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy?
    The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would apply at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. The Federal Government recently announced that the program will extend until August 29.
    For program details and eligibility CLICK HERE
  • What is the Ontario Together Fund?
    The Ontario Government’s Ontario Together Fund offers $50 Million in support to companies that can retool, build capacity, or adopt the technological changes needed to produce supplies and equipment for hospitals, long-term care homes, and other critical public services.
    For program details and eligibility CLICK HERE
  • How do I obtain financing during this period of uncertainty?
    The Government of Canada has established a Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to provide more than $10 Billion of additional support, largely targeted to small and medium-sized businesses. Locally, the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation (SLBDC) is also offering an Emergency Support Loan where eligible businesses can access up to $50,000 in support.
    For BCAP program details and eligibility CLICK HERE
    For SLBDC program details and eligibility CLICK HERE
  • How do I access WSIB’s Financial Relief Package?
    To help reduce the financial burden of the COVID-19 situation, WSIB is offering relief to all Ontario businesses in the form of a $1.9 Billion Financial Relief Package. Businesses will now be able to defer certain WSIB premium reporting and payments through this program.
    For program details and eligibility CLICK HERE
  • If my business needs to lay off an employee, how do I do it correctly?
    There are a number of resources available to provide other options for employers. If layoffs become the only option for a specific business in these unprecedented times, it can be difficult to know the latest procedures:

  • When are my taxes due?
    The Government of Canada is allowing for the deferment, until after August 31, 2020, of payment of income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020. They are also allowing for the deferment of Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) as well as customs duties owning on their imports.
    For program details and eligibility CLICK HERE
  • My business could produce goods or services to help combat COVID-19. Who should I contact?
    Both the Federal and Provincial Governments are in search of Canadian businesses that can assist in meeting the need for medical supplies and other services during the COVID-19 Pandemic by:

    • Manufacturing in Canada and/or having ready access to necessary inputs through your supply chain.
    • Having equipment or facilities that can be rapidly re-tooled to meet medical needs, including for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and surgical gowns; sanitizers; wipes; ventilators; and other medical equipment and supplies.
      Contact the Government of Canada by CLICKING HERE
      Contact the Government of Ontario by       CLICKING HERE

WORKPLACES

  • Do I need to wear a face covering at work?
    You do not need to wear a face covering when you are working in an area that allows you to maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from anyone else while you are indoors. CLICK HERE for more info.
  • What if I need to take off my face covering temporarily?
    You can take off your face covering temporarily:

    • to receive services that require you to take it off (for example, at the dentist, when receiving some personal care services such as facials, or when you have to verify your identity)
    • to engage in an athletic or fitness activity
    • to eat or drink
    • as necessary for health and safety purposes
    • CLICK HERE for more details.

If you are a business or health care organization and you need PPE, you can find a company or business association that supplies personal protective equipment. 

 

EMPLOYEES

  • How do I transition from CERB to Employment Insurance (EI)?
    The Government of Canada announced changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program and new recovery benefits that will better support Canadians. As of September 27, 2020, there are some temporary changes to the EI program to help you access EI benefits. These changes will be in effect for 1 year. CLICK HERE for help transitioning from CERB to EI.
    For help signing up for a Service Canada Account CLICK HERE
  • How do I apply for employment insurance?
    Employment Insurance (EI) 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 to restore their health and return to work. Service Canada encourages all who think they may qualify for EI to apply AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
    For program details and eligibility CLICK HERE
    For help signing up for a Service Canada Account     CLICK HERE
  • What companies are hiring workers right now?
    Work in Sarnia Lambton is an all-in-one interactive toolkit for job seekers across Sarnia Lambton. WISL helps match job seekers with local employers through a Job Board, as well as with local training and skills development resources and employment service providers with the Job Map.
  • Why is the province issuing a stay-at-home order while also permitting curb-side pickup?
    This question assumes every single person in Ontario has easy access to online shopping or that there is a big-box retailer in their community. This isn’t the case for many Ontarians who live in rural and remote areas.
    We’ve learned a lot over the past year responding to this pandemic, including the fact that what may be essential to someone in Timmins and how they buy that item may not be essential to someone in downtown Toronto, who can easily buy items online for delivery. The Government of Ontario determining what retailers may be considered essential risks cutting off many Ontarians who don’t live in Toronto or an urban centre from access to necessary goods.
  • What is an essential item?
    The Government of Ontario cannot determine what is essential for every person in this province, each with their own unique circumstances and regional considerations. Legally defining what is essential risks cutting people off from goods that may legitimately be necessary for their health, well-being and safety.
  • What is an essential trip?
    The Government of Ontario cannot determine what is essential for every person in this province, each with their own unique circumstances and regional considerations. That said, we have provided broad categories that people should consider before leaving their home: food, health-care services, including medication, exercise or work, where someone’s job cannot be done at home.
  • What is essential work?
    The stay-at-home order does not define what work or jobs are essential. Rather, it now mandates that anyone who can work from home must now do so. For example, someone working in retail obviously can’t do their job from home and would be permitted to go to work.
  • Why hasn’t the province defined who can or should work from home?
    The Government of Ontario cannot review tens of millions of job descriptions to determine who can work from home. As such, we are relying on the best judgment and common sense of employers to determine who can do so. If an employee believes they should be working from home, they can contact the Ministry of Labour to file a health and safety complaint.
  • Why can people still gather in groups of five outdoors?
    The outdoor gathering limit of five is in recognition of the fact that some people live alone and may require the company or support of others for their mental and physical well-being. Anyone gathering outside is expected to adhere to physical distancing measures and are now strongly urged to wear a mask.
  • Can people leave home to exercise? Can I go to my local playground or basketball court?
    Yes, exercise is considered an essential reason for leaving your home. What that means will be unique to each individual Ontarian: some may wish to go for a walk around the block, while others may wish to go to a local basketball court with their household to shoot some hoops.
    We recommend that Ontarians consult their local public health unit or municipality to understand what recreational amenities are open in their community.
  • Can someone living alone still join up with another household?
    Yes, they can exclusively join one other household. This is to support their mental health and well-being, as well as to ensure those requiring support continue to have access to essential caregivers.
  • Is there a time limit for how long people can leave their homes?
    No. That said, we’re asking Ontarians to use their best judgement when leaving their home for essential reasons. They should limit the number of stores they go to and spend as little time outside of their home as possible.
  • Is there a limit on the number of times someone can leave their home in a day?
    No. That said, we’re asking Ontarians to use their best judgement when leaving their home for essential reasons. They should limit the number of stores they go to and spend as little time outside of their home as possible.
  • Can people travel to their cottages or secondary residences?
    Right now, we are asking people to stay home and only leave their home for essential purposes, which could include emergency maintenance of a secondary residence. In the spirit of the stay-at-home order, at this time we are not recommending intra-provincial travel.

 

This page was updated Jan 13th, 2021