Insights

Government Announces Relief for Oil & Gas and Cultural Sectors

On April 17, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Energy and Environment, Federal, Federal Highlight, Finance, Our Thinking

The federal government announced its first sector-specific measures as part of its COVID-19 response, including targeted support for the oil and gas sector that is aligned with the Trudeau government’s key priorities: Up to $1.72 billion to clean up orphan and inactive oil and gas wells in

Government Expands Relief for Small Businesses

On April 16, 2020 / Economy and Jobs, Federal, Federal Highlight, Finance, Health Care, Institute, Our Thinking

Federal Government Expands Relief to Small Businesses as Response Efforts Continue Across Canada COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdown has greatly impacted small businesses across the country. Early announcements from the federal government (and subsequent comments about gaps in federal support raised by stakeholder groups and opposition

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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