Insights

Expanding CERB and Addressing Long-Term Care

On April 15, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Public Safety

Since launching the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the federal government has faced specific questions about certain groups of Canadians who might not technically qualify for these benefits but still require assistance. As such, the federal government announced expanded eligibility today for the CERB, including: Allowing… Continue Reading Expanding CERB and Addressing Long-Term Care

Long-Term Care Still Challenging Governments

On April 14, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial, Provincial Highlight, Public Safety

Federal Update Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new supports for health care, air transportation, business supports and enhancing the Nutrition North Program for communities in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister indicated that further adjustments are forthcoming to the federal economic response plan,… Continue Reading Long-Term Care Still Challenging Governments

Ontario’s State of Emergency to Continue

On April 13, 2020 / Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial, Provincial Highlight

Ontario’s State of Emergency to Continue Ontario will be extending the provincial state of emergency until May 12, with the Legislature scheduled to sit at 1:00 pm tomorrow, April 14, for an expedited session. Two main items are on the agenda: Extending the provincial state of emergency… Continue Reading Ontario’s State of Emergency to Continue

Federal Government Passes Wage Subsidy Legislation

On April 12, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Finance, Institute, Our Thinking

Wage Subsidy Legislation Passes The federal government met for a rare emergency sitting on Saturday during the Easter long weekend to unanimously pass legislation bringing the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy into law. The Bill passed the House of Commons around 6:00 pm on Saturday. The Senate concluded… Continue Reading Federal Government Passes Wage Subsidy Legislation

Extraordinary Measures: A Saturday Sitting

On April 9, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Finance, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial

The House of Commons has been recalled by the Trudeau Government to sit this Saturday to pass legislation to implement the government’s 75% Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The House sitting will begin at 12:15 pm and the Senate is scheduled to sit at 4:00 pm, indicating the… Continue Reading Extraordinary Measures: A Saturday Sitting

March 2020 Jobs Numbers: A Stark New Reality

On April 9, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Institute, 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… Continue Reading March 2020 Jobs Numbers: A Stark New Reality

Government Adjusts the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

On April 8, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Institute, Public Safety

A key plank of the federal government’s economic response to COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), received adjustments to address program gaps and opened the program to private sector employers, not-for-profits, and charities. The Prime Minister stated he is hoping to have the program open for… Continue Reading Government Adjusts the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

COVID-19 Responses Come Into Focus, But Road Ahead Remains Uncertain

On April 8, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Energy and Environment, Finance, Health Care, Institute, Natural Resources, Our Thinking, Provincial

Following Ontario’s release of its pandemic projections last week, Quebec and Alberta have followed suit, illustrating the impact of COVID-19 within provinces across Canada. The picture that is emerging is that the pandemic is hitting Canada’s provinces differently. In Ontario and Quebec, the pandemic is on track… Continue Reading COVID-19 Responses Come Into Focus, But Road Ahead Remains Uncertain

Implementation Challenges Government Responses to COVID-19

On April 6, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Education, Federal, Finance, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking, Provincial, Public Safety

As governments across Canada maintain and extend public health measures to control the spread of COVID-19, they are also facing significant implementation challenges to deliver relief and support measures. For the federal government, this week marks a shift to program implementation as applications open for the Canada… Continue Reading Implementation Challenges Government Responses to COVID-19

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