Category Archives: COVID-19

Ontario and Canada announce reopening policies and programs for coming months

October 22, 2021

The government of Ontario and government of Canada made important announcements in the past two days.

Today Premier Ford outlined timetables for the further reopening of the province. Most capacity limits will be lifted Monday, with guidelines and schedules set out for complete lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions by March 28, 2022.

Yesterday Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Freeland outlined targeted COVID-19 financial supports for workers and businesses that will follow the Oct. 23 expiry for most sectors of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS).

In conjunction with Minister Freeland’s announcement, Prime Minister Trudeau provided details of a new Canadian proof of vaccination document for domestic and international travel.

I have provided top line summaries of the most immediate and important policies and programs as well as the full text of the three official announcements.

ONTARIO:
The most immediate changes, coming into effect on Monday, October 25, 12:01 AM, are the lifting of capacity limits in the vast majority of settings where proof of vaccination are required, including:

  • restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments; 
  • indoor areas of sports and recreational facilities such as gyms and where personal physical fitness trainers provide instruction; 
  • casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and 
  • indoor meeting and event spaces. 
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Limits will also be lifted in certain outdoor settings.

The government will also allow other settings to lift capacity limits and physical distancing requirements if they choose to require proof of vaccination, including:

  • Personal care services (e.g., barber shops, salons, body art);
  • Indoor areas of museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions;
  • Indoor areas of amusement parks;
  • Indoor areas of fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals;
  • Indoor tour and guide services;
  • Boat tours;
  • Indoor areas of marinas and boating clubs;
  • Indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities;
  • Open house events provided by real estate agencies; and
  • Indoor areas of photography studios and services.

Locations where a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony takes place may also implement proof of vaccination requirements for services, rites, or ceremonies at the location.

This will not apply to settings where people receive medical care, food from grocery stores and medical supplies. In addition, the government intends to allow for greater capacity at organized public events such as Remembrance Day ceremonies and Santa Claus parades with more details coming in the near future.

Depending on key indicators the government has set out, other restrictions will be lifted in successive stages on November 15, 2021, January 17, 2022, and February 7, 2022 with the goal of lifting all public health and workplace safety measures, including wearing face coverings in indoor public settings, by March 28, 2022. 

Click here »» to read the full News Release


CANADA

Proof of vaccination documents
A standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is now available digitally or on paper to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon. It will be available in all the other provinces in time for the bump in travel in December.

Click here »» to read the full details


Business support programs
The government is proposing the following changes to business support programs:

  • Extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022, for eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10 per cent and increase the subsidy rate to 50 per cent. The extension would help businesses continue to hire back workers and to create the additional jobs Canada needs for a full recovery.
  • Deliver targeted support to businesses that are still facing significant pandemic-related challenges. Support would be available through two streams:
    • Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, which would provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs, to hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, and restaurants, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent.
    • Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, which would provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs, would support other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50 per cent.

Details about the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and Hardest Hit Business Recovery Program can be found on this government web page:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/10/targeting-covid-19-support-measures.html

The government also proposes to: 

  • Extend the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until May 7, 2022, and increase the maximum duration of benefits by 2 weeks. This would extend the caregiving benefit from 42 to 44 weeks and the sickness benefit from 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Establish the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit which would provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers should they be unable to work due to a local lockdown anytime between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.

Click here »» to read the full New Release

I will keep you informed as more details are made public.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Please contact me with any questions you may have or for assistance working through your employment and labour law matters.

Items of interest from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and other government agencies

October 20, 2021

The Ministry of Labour periodically sends out a newsletter that contains a variety of information for employers. I have provided the newsletter in this email as well as information from other Ministries and agencies regarding the new online Business Registry as well as mobile vaccine clinics on GO transit routes.

Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development October newsletter

This edition of the newsletter contains three items in particular that may be of interest to you:

  • COVID-19 webinars: Information for employers & workers about ESA and OHSA
    • NOTE: The webinar is scheduled for Thursday October 21.
    • It will cover employer obligations and employee rights under the Employment Standards Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act as they relate to COVID-19.
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  • Launch of Workplace Safety Builder Tool
    • This tool can help you to think through some of the COVID-19 risks in your workplace and choose actions available to make your workplace safer.
  • Extension of the COVID-19 Period to January 1, 2022
    • As I have previously advised, the Ontario government made a regulation that changed certain Employment Standards Act (ESA) rules during the “COVID-19 period.” This regulation has been amended to extend the COVID-19 period to January 1, 2022.

New Business Registry
The new Business Registry which I advised of on September 29 has now been launched. The Registry provides business owners and not-for-profit operators with direct access to government services, available online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 


GO-VAXX mobile vaccine clinics
If you are encouraging your employees to get vaccinated, information about this program may be beneficial. Two GO buses have been converted to serve as mobile vaccine clinics which offer both first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The buses are heated and fully accessible, no appointment is necessary and the schedule is updated weekly.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Click here »» to access the full newsletter

Please contact me with any questions you may have or for assistance working through your staffing matters.

Ontario QR code vaccine certificate and verification app now available

October 15, 2021

The government of Ontario has announced that the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code as well as the verification app for use by businesses are both available today, October 15. 

Enhanced vaccine certificate
The enhanced vaccine certificates will be available for download from the government’s COVID-19 vaccination portal and will be available in cohorts for the first three days in anticipation of high traffic and demand.

The cohorts are based on birth month:

  • October 15, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between January and April
  • October 16, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between May and August
  • October 17, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between September to December
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Starting Monday, October 18 at 6:00 a.m., the portal will open for any individual to download their enhanced vaccine certificate, regardless of their birth month.

Individuals can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have their enhanced vaccine certificate emailed or mailed to them.

People can save the electronic .pdf version of their vaccine certificate including QR code to their phone or can print a paper copy to be carried with them.

Verification app 
The Verify Ontario app,  which will be used by businesses to quickly and easily confirm if a person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, is now available for free download from the Apple App and Google Play stores. 

The app will read both electronic and paper versions of the enhanced vaccine certificates and businesses must accept whichever is presented by the certificate holder. 

In all cases, Ontarians will need to show a piece of identification with their name and date of birth along with their proof of vaccination. The Verify Ontario app does not store personal information and only shows the business the minimum amount of information necessary to confirm vaccination.

Click here to »» Read the full government News Release

LINKS
COVID-19 Vaccination portal: https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/
Download the Verify Ontario app: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/verify

I hope you find this information helpful.

Please contact me with any questions you may have or for assistance working through your employment and labour law matters.

Ontario capacity limits increased.

September 28, 2021

As you may be aware, on Friday the government of Ontario announced that is it easing and increasing capacity limits on a variety of venues and settings.

I have provided a brief summary and the full text of the announcement below can be read on the government of Ontario website.

Effective September 25, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., capacity limits for these indoor events will be increased to up to 50 per cent capacity or 10,000 people (whichever is less):

  • Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres; 
  • sporting events; 
  • concerts, theatres and cinemas; 
  • racing venues (e.g., horse racing); 
  • and commercial and film television productions with studio audiences
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For certain outdoor event venues where patrons stand, capacity limits will increase to up to 75 per cent capacity or 15,000 people (whichever is less). 

For certain outdoor event venues where patrons are seated, capacity limits will be increased to up to 75 per cent capacity or 30,000 people (whichever is less). 

Proof of vaccination
Proof of vaccination will be required at all of the indoor events listed above and in outdoor settings where the normal maximum capacity is 20,000 people or more.

Proof of vaccination receipts can be downloaded and vaccinations can be booked through this Ministry of Health web page:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/proof-covid-19-vaccination
or through the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900.

In the announcement, Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, thanks Ontarians for getting vaccinated and adhering to public health measurements, but points out that “we must all remain vigilant and continue following the measures and advice in place”.

I hope you find this information helpful and and informative and that you, your fellow workers and employees, families and loved ones stay safe and healthy in the coming weeks.Please contact me with any questions you may have or for assistance working through your staffing matters.

Vaccinations: Clarifications on medical exemptions and duty to accommodate

September 23, 2021

As you are aware, employers in Ontario are required to maintain a safe workplace under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) while also having a duty to accommodate employees’ medical conditions under the Human Rights Code (HRC).

With the province continuing to reopen for business and vaccine regulations coming into effect, the rules for balancing these obligations have been far from clear.

In the past week there has been welcomed clarification from the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on two key issues:

  • Medical exemptions and;
  • Accommodation for those people – particularly visitors to a business – who choose not to be vaccinated because of personal preference.
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Medical exemptions
On September 14, 2021, the Ontario Ministry of Health released a short list of conditions which may warrant an exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. The Ministry’s list is intended to assist medical professionals in evaluating requests for exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The list of exemptions is restricted to:

  • severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis to a component of a COVID-19 vaccine,
  • a reaction to a dose of the vaccine, 
  • a history of inflammation of the heart muscle (Myocarditis) for those aged 12 to 17, 
  • a history of four conditions specific to those receiving the Vaxzervia (AstraZeneca) vaccine, and 
  • those actively receiving two specific types of therapies for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. 

Click here »» to download a .pdf of the complete list of exemptions.

This guidance is in addition and complementary to the Frequently Asked Questions document provided to Ontario physicians on September 1, 2021 by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

The FAQ page states that there are very few acceptable medical exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination. The CPSO also stresses that physicians may decline to write notes and complete forms when the patient does not clearly fall within an approved exemption.

Duty to accommodate – OHRC
On September 22, 2021 the OHRC released a policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates, noting that “a person who chooses not to be vaccinated based on personal preference does not have the right to accommodation” under the Human Rights Code.

The OHRC noted that while the Code “prohibits discrimination based on creed, personal preferences or singular beliefs do not amount to a creed for the purposes of the Code.

It also states that “The OHRC is not aware of any tribunal or court decision that found a singular belief against vaccinations or masks amounted to a creed within the meaning of the Code

Click here »» to read the full statement on the OHRC website

I trust you will find these clarifications helpful. Please contact me if you have additional questions, would like advice on the specifics of your workplace and employees or for assistance working through any of your staffing matters.

Extension of IDEL emergency leave to January 1, 2022

September 22, 2021
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On September 16, 2021, the Ontario Government extended the “COVID-19 Period” and the temporary measures introduced by O.Reg. 228/20: Infectious Disease Emergency (the “Regulation”) under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) until January 1, 2022.

Those temporary measures introduced by the Regulation were previously set to end on September 25, 2021.

The Ontario government website advises:

Temporary ESA rules continue

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government made a regulation that changed certain Employment Standards Act (ESA) rules during the COVID-19 period. The temporary rules continue to be in effect until January 1, 2022.

For further clarification:

“Beginning on January 2, 2022:

Employees will no longer be deemed to be on unpaid infectious disease emergency leave. The ESAs regular rules around constructive dismissal will resume. This means a significant reduction or elimination of an employee’s hours of work or wages may be considered  a constructive dismissal under the ESA, even if it was done for reasons related to COVID-19.The ESAs regular rules around temporary layoff will also resume. For practical purposes, an employee’s temporary layoff clock re-sets on January 2, 2022.

Even though the COVID-19 period ends on January 1, 2022 and non-unionized employees will no longer be deemed to be on unpaid infectious disease emergency leave, when the conditions are met, unionized and non-unionized employees may continue to be eligible for unpaid infectious disease emergency leave if they are not performing the duties of their position for certain”

Please contact me if you have additional questions, would like advice on the specifics of your workplace and employees or for assistance working through any of your staffing matters.

Proof of vaccination guidelines for businesses and patrons

September 15, 2021

The government of Ontario has released the regulations and guidance for businesses and organizations in regards to the proof of vaccination requirements which will come into effect on September 22, 2021.

I have provided a link to the text of the full announcement below.

In summary:
The government is developing an enhanced vaccine certificate with a unique QR code that will be available by October 22, 2021.

Until such time, all Ontarians can print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal.

Those who need support obtaining a copy of their vaccination receipt including those who do not have access to a computer or printer can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.


Guidelines for businesses
Until October 22, 2021, all versions of the receipt that the government has provided to Ontarians after vaccination are acceptable as proof of vaccination. However, a patron seeking access to a business or organization must provide the receipt that shows that they are fully vaccinated.

All other public health measures (e.g., masking and physical distancing) continue to apply to patrons, even with proof of vaccination.

Full guidelines regarding which patrons and visitors require proof and what proof is acceptable can be downloaded as a .pdf from this page:
https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/guidance_proof_of_vaccination_for_businesses_and_organizations.pdf

Requirements
Most businesses and organizations will require patrons entering the premises to provide proof of identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as per the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA).

In order to enter the business and organization:

  • The patron must provide the required proof of identification and proof of being fully vaccinated, and 
  • The business and organization must review and confirm the proof. 
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The business or organization shall not retain any information provided by the patron. 

Proof of Vaccination
Beginning  September 22, 2021, businesses must ask for proof of vaccination and ensure that the vaccination receipt offered by the patron belongs to them. 

Validation of vaccination will be based on two key identifiers:

  1. Name of the identification holder; and
  2. Date of birth. 

A photo identification is not required. 

Examples of identification documents that may be used to confirm the identity of the holder of the vaccine receipt include:

  • Birth certificate
  • Citizenship card
  • Driver’s licence
  • Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card, including health card
  • Indian Status Card /Indigenous Membership Card
  • Passport
  • Permanent Resident card

Exemptions
The proof of identification and proof of vaccination against COVID-19 requirements under O. Reg. 364/20 do not apply to: 

  • Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the business or organization for work purposes and not as patrons. 
  • A patron who is entering an indoor area solely for the following purposes:
    • to use a washroom;
    • to access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route;
    • to make a retail purchase;
    • while placing or picking up an order, including placing a bet or picking up winnings in the case of a horse racing track;
    • while paying for an order;
    • to purchase admission; or
    • as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
  • Children under 12 years of age
  • Patrons under 18 years of age who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport

There are some limited exemptions for ceremonies such as weddings and funerals, but NOT for any connected social activities such as receptions.

Again, the downloadable Guidelines provide complete information.

Medical exemptions
Patrons with a medical exemption are required to present identification and a written document, completed and supplied by a physician (designated as “MD”) or by a registered nurse in the extended class (designated as “Registered Nurse (Extended Class)”, “RN(EC)”, “Nurse Practitioner” or “NP”) stating that the individual is exempt for a medical reason from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the effective time-period for the medical reason.

I hope you find this information helpful and and informative and that you, your fellow workers and employees, families and loved ones stay safe and healthy in the coming weeks and the arrival of back-to-school season.Please contact me with any questions you may have or for assistance working through your staffing matters.

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Releasing Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy

Province Continues to Expand Third Dose Eligibility for Those at Highest Risk of COVID-19
September 14, 2021

Health

TORONTO — As the province continues to respond to the fourth wave of the pandemic driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant, the government is further protecting Ontarians through continued actions that encourage every eligible person to get vaccinated and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Today the government released the regulations and guidance for businesses and organizations to support them in implementing proof of vaccination requirements, which take effect on September 22, 2021. Requiring proof of vaccination will help increase vaccination rates, protect individuals in higher-risk indoor settings, and keep businesses open.

Click »» here to read the full News Release on the Ontario government website

Ontario vaccination ‘passports’ and policy implications

September 1, 2021

Ontario vaccination ‘passports’ and policy implications for businesses in Ontario generally and Toronto specifically

As anticipated, the government of Ontario announced today that it will require people to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to access certain businesses and settings starting September 22, 2021. 

I have provided a top line summary here and the full text of the announcement below.

The definition of fully vaccinated is “two doses plus 14 days” and people will be required to provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access higher-risk indoor public settings and facilities including:

  • Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
  • Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
  • Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
  • Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
  • Sporting events;
  • Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
  • Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
  • Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs;
  • Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).
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Both paper and electronic versions of the certificate will be available.

These mandatory requirements would not apply to outdoor settings where the risk of transmission is lower and in general will not apply to settings where people receive medical care, food from grocery stores, medical supplies and the like. Indoor masking and other public health policies will continue to remain in place.

The focus of the announcement was on the situations where vaccination proof will be required and it is unclear at this time what onus will lie on the owners and employees of those businesses to enforce the requirement and request vaccination proof.

Vaccination policies in Ontario businesses

I know the subject of vaccination in the workplace and the necessity or advisability of a Vaccination Policy for employers has been a subject on the minds of many clients. Unfortunately this announcement does not address that topic specifically or provide any additional information or guidance.

Webinar and video on the subject of Vaccination Policies

In an earlier email I advised that I participated in a webinar with the Ontario Non-Profit Network (ONN) and also compiled a supplementary Question and Answer video available on my website. If you have not seen these yet, you may find them helpful in considering a vaccination policy.

The ONN webinar was presented on August 11 with Kirstin Grant, Director of People & Wellness for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, and moderator Sarah Matsushita of the ONN.

Link: attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/4331891512450891522
You will be required to submit your name and email address to view the webinar.

The LeNoury Law Q and A video with key questions and updates as of August 30, 2021 can be found on my website:

lenourylaw.com/2021/08/29/video-your-vaccination-policy-what-to-consider

Toronto: Medical Officer of Health strongly recommends employers institute a vaccination policy 

Some sources have positioned this recommendation from Toronto Public Health on August 26 as a mandate requiring employers in the city to prepare and publish a vaccination policy.

It is a strong recommendation rather than a mandate, although some have argued that it acquires a compulsory nature when read in the context of some aspects of the provincial government’s  Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) ActThe full statement from the city can be accessed through »» this link.

My own advice is that a written policy is always preferable to unwritten guidelines in that it eliminates confusion and is a consistent, non-arbitrary reference point should there be any disagreement with any employee at any time.

The City provides guidelines for preparing a Vaccination Policy which can be referenced on the City of Toronto website.

I have also prepared a basic template you may find useful. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact me. I should advise that it will almost certainly require additional information in order to be appropriate for your organization’s individual requirements.

I hope you find this information helpful and and informative and that you, your fellow workers and employees, families and loved ones stay safe and healthy in the coming weeks as the back-to-school season arrives.

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario to Require Proof of Vaccination in Select Settings

Province to launch enhanced vaccine certificate and verification app to stop the spread of COVID-19

September 1, 2021

Office of the Premier

TORONTO — To further protect Ontarians as the province continues to confront the Delta-driven fourth wave of the COVID-19, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, will require people to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to access certain businesses and settings starting September 22, 2021. Requiring proof of vaccination in these settings reduces risk and is an important step to encourage every last eligible Ontarian to get their shot, which is critical to protecting the province’s hospital capacity, while also supporting businesses with the tools they need to keep customers safe, stay open and minimize disruptions.

Click »» to read complete News Release on government of Ontario website

Video: Your Vaccination Policy – What to Consider

August 27, 2021

Many clients have asked me about what things they should consider when developing a vaccination policy. On Wednesday, August 11, I conducted a seminar on the topic for the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) along with Kirstin Grant, Director of People & Wellness for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, and moderator Sarah Matsushita of the ONN.

The video below covers the major points of that seminar as well as some of the most commonly asked questions employers have about Vaccination Policies. It is updated with answers to questions that have arisen since August 11 as the Ontario government has made new announcements.

The information in the webinar is useful to all businesses and organizations in Ontario – commercial and nonprofit.

You will be asked to submit your password to view the presentation. If you have not received a password or have misplaced the information, please use the Contact Form on this site and I will be pleased to provide access to the video

Questions answered include:

  • If an employer cannot force staff to get vaccinated, then why have a vaccination policy?
  • Can different job roles be treated differently? For instance, front-line workers need to be in the office. Not as true for management/admin employees.
  • Should/can a policy include volunteers, clients and visitors to the workplace?
  • Can an employer impose masks for those who do not want to be vaccinated included the distancing from other persons they may work with?
  • Are there or should there be requirements to conduct contract tracing for anyone coming into the workplace?
  • Can you require an unvaccinated employee to get regular COVID testing?
  • Does the employer have to incur the cost of the test?
  • How would requiring additional PPE, that will easily identify the staff person as non-vaccinated, not be a potential violation of an employee’s privacy and therefore their human rights?
  • How do you deal with employees who don’t want to work with someone in the workplace who has not been vaccinated?
  • If we accommodate unvaccinated employees by letting them work from home, how do we make sure other vaccinated employees don’t say they’re unvaccinated in order to continue working from home?
  • Can an employer disclose to a third party if an employee has been vaccinated?
  • In our recruiting and job posting can we require applicants to be double vaccinated?
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Items of interest from Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development

August 20, 2021

Items of interest from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development

The Ministry periodically sends out a newsletter that contains a variety of information for employers.

This edition includes three items in particular that may be of interest to you:

  • Ontario keeping workers safe as province reopens
    • The Ontario government is investing $10.5 million to provide up to 60,000 small businesses across the province with free health and safety training over the next three years.
       
  • Free Roadmap to Reopen webinar, info about workplace screening and more
    • Workplace Safety & Prevention Service (WSPS) news and updates
       
  • PSHSA: Free workplace violence webinars and information about preventing heat stress
    • Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) news and updates

You may find other items of use as well. I have included the ‘teasers’ of all articles in the newsletter for you below with links that will open more information on the Ministry’s website in your browser.

Ontario keeping workers safe as province reopens

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The Ontario government is investing $10.5 million to provide up to 60,000 small businesses across the province with free health and safety training over the next three years. The new Small Business Health and Safety Training Program will improve health and safety awareness to help prevent illnesses and injuries by training health and safety representatives of small businesses on how to keep workers safe in the retail, construction, health care, accommodation and food services, and other sectors. Businesses will also be reimbursed for the time the representatives are away from work.

Learn more
Free Roadmap to Reopen webinar, info about workplace screening and more

Workplace Safety & Prevention Service (WSPS) news and updates:
This free, pre-recorded webinar provides the latest information on Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen. Topics include: how to reassess safety plan requirements for Step Three, recommendations on safe work practices during COVID-19, and more
.Free articles and resources about workplace screening and why it’s more important than ever.
Free articles and resources on COVID-related workplace violence. Includes information on how to deal with threats, verbal and physical assaults.
Article on helping employees overcome pandemic weariness. Features seven suggestions on how you can help employees reenergize, improve their mental health, and recover their motivation during the pandemic.
New Small Biz Safety podcast episode teaches businesses with 6-19 employees how to access free training for health and safety representatives, offers tips on chemical safety and more.
PSHSA: Free workplace violence webinars and information about preventing heat stress
Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) news and updates:

Ontario’s Second Career program helping workers start new careers
The Ontario government is increasing financial supports available and simplifying the application process for individuals applying to the Second Career program. As the province’s economy begins to reopen, these changes will make it easier for laid-off and unemployed workers to pursue training and start new and better careers.

Learn more
Ministry consulting on requirements for use of tower cranes
On July 14, the Ministry posted a consultation on the Regulatory Registry for a proposal to modernize and clarify existing requirements relating to the use of tower cranes, as set out in the Construction Projects Regulation (O. Reg. 213/91) and O. Reg. 420/21: Notices and Reports Under Sections 51 to 53/1 of the Act – Fatalities, Critical Injuries, Occupational Illnesses and Other Incidents under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

Learn more
Mining health & safety regulatory amendment consultations underway
The Ministry is consulting on changes to Regulation 854 (Mines and Mining Plants) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The proposed changes would increase flexibility, better reflect current technology and reduce regulatory burden, while maintaining or improving worker health and safety. 

Learn more
Additional ministry consultations: Head protection and Notice of Project RequirementsThe Ministry is consulting to harmonize head protection requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and consulting on a proposal to modernize the Notice of Project Requirements under Ontario Regulation 213/91 – Construction Projects.

Head protection | Notice of Project Requirements
Chief Prevention Officer releases five-year Occupational Health & Safety StrategyIn line with Ontario’s commitment to preventing injuries, illnesses and fatalities in workplaces, the province has released its next five-year strategy, called Prevention Works. The province is taking an evidence-informed approach to understand how to better protect workers in the future and cultivate a workplace culture of health and safety.

Learn more
Simplified, streamlined JHSC Certification Program & Provider Standards now in effectAs of June 30, the Chief Prevention Officer has amended the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification Training Program and Provider Standards to include the requirements of the JHSC Certification Distance Learning Standard.
These changes simplify the requirements for new applicants and approved providers, and streamline the administrative and application processes.

Learn more | JHSC Certification Training Provider StandardJHSC Certification Training Program Standard
IHSA: Free presentation on preventing falls in trucking and new safety podcastThe Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) news and updates:
This five-part series of podcasts looks at what IHSA is and what it does. Episodes cover information about IHSA, safety training and three important programs: the Certificate of Recognition, Health and Safety Excellence program and the National Construction Health and Safety Officer program.
Free online program helps employers and workers in the transportation industry identify hazards and strategies to minimize the risk of slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
IWH: Unemployment benefits linked to lower death rates, mentoring project and moreThe Institute for Work and Health (IWH) news and updates:
Here are 5 things IWH thinks you should know—based on its research findings from the past year.
Family health-care practitioners treating patients with work-related injuries or illnesses will get advice from occupational medicine experts in a mentoring pilot program launching in September and hosted by IWH.
Unemployment benefits are linked to lower death rates over 10 years, according to an IWH study.
Court bulletins
View bulletins on recent court decisions that resulted in fines and other penalties under Ontarios workplace laws.

Read more