Our Thinking

March 2020 Jobs Numbers: A Stark New Reality

On April 9, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Institute, Our Commentary, Our Thinking

A Summary of the Numbers: Canada’s employment numbers for Canada are grim, and no one could have predicted the precipitous drop in employment figures that Statistics Canada revealed for March 2020. Over 1 million Canadians have joined the unemployed ranks in March, bringing the unemployment rate up

What Would the Ontario Deficit Look Like if the Quarantine Lasts Until August?

On April 6, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Finance, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial, Provincial Highlight

By Gabriel Sekaly Ontario’s Action Plan announced by the Ontario government on March 25 hit the mark in terms of a good first step in dealing the economic and fiscal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic situation arising out of this pandemic is unprecedented and the

Province Launches the Ontario Together Fund

On April 1, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial, Provincial Highlight, Public Safety

Premier Doug Ford and the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli issued a further call to action for businesses, organizations, and communities to redeploy capacity to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment to help the province combat COVID-19. To support this, the province

Ontario Extends COVID-19 State of Emergency

On March 30, 2020 / Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial, Provincial Highlight, Public Safety

With Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer recommending stronger updated guidelines for vulnerable individuals to stay home and self-isolate, Premier Ford confirmed that the province will be extending its state of emergency declaration for another 14 days (it is set to expire on March 31st). The Ontario Legislature is

Federal Government Broadens Access to Wage Subsidy

On March 30, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Finance, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the broad eligibility requirements for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: Businesses will be eligible if their revenues have decreased by at least 30 per cent due to COVID-19 The wage subsidy will be available to non-profit organizations and charities, as well as

March 27 Update: Second Wave of Federal Support for Businesses

On March 27, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Finance, Institute, Our Thinking

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced additional supports to Canadian businesses and workers under the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, providing up to an additional $65 billion in direct support, and an additional $30 billion in deferred taxes and duties. The federal government will be increasing the small business

Canada Approves COVID-19 Emergency Package

On March 26, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Finance, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking

After negotiations between the government and opposition parties all day Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday, both the House of Commons and Senate have passed the Trudeau government’s emergency financial legislation, Bill C-13, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act (CERA). Governor General Julie Payette gave the

Ontario Unveils Fiscal Update; COVID-19 Worsens

On March 25, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial, Provincial Highlight

Ontario’s Action Plan 2020: Responding to COVID-19 During an emergency session of the legislature, Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips announced sweeping investments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of his March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update. Much of it is aimed at getting money into

Ontario Lowering Hydro Rates in Response to COVID-19

On March 24, 2020 / Energy and Environment, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial, Provincial Highlight

With social distancing in full effect, the Ford government is temporarily ending time of use electricity rates for families, farmers, and small businesses. At all hours of the day, customers will be charged the lower off-peak rates usually reserved for the overnight period. This measure will be

Federal Plan Mobilizes Industry to Combat COVID-19

On March 20, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial

Prime Minister Trudeau made three key announcements: Confirmed the closure of the Canada/US border to non-essential travel as of midnight tonight Introduced Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19, providing support to mobilize Canada’s industrial base and innovators to meet demand with domestic production and leveraging