COVID-19

For as long as the COVID-19 crisis continues, it stands to reason that business activity, including acquisitions or divestitures, existing contracts and agreements, governance, privacy, and other related areas will be impacted. These articles highlight areas that may affect your business or organization.

• COVID-19 and Business Closures (Updated January 29, 2021)
• COVID-19 and Business Transactions
• Force Majeure, Frustration, Cancellation, Material Adverse Change
• Governance and Risk Management (Updated June 1, 2020)
• Considerations for a Business Owners’ Premises
• Privacy in the Time of a Pandemic
• COVID-19 and Electronic Documents: Yes, you can (mostly)
• COVID-19 and Immigration-related Issues (Updated March 27, 2020)
• COVID-19 and Commercial Leasing
• COVID-19 and Franchising
• COVID-19 and the Not-For-Profit Sector (Updated May 15, 2020)
• Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (Posted April 27, 2020)
• Exemption from Physical Signature Requirement for Real Estate Listings, Offers and Acceptances (Posted April 27, 2020)
• COVID-19 and Business Re-Opening: Requirements for Businesses (Posted May 26, 2020)
• Game On (Or Not)! – COVID-19 and Sporting Events & Other Events (Posted June 1, 2020)
• COVID-19 and Waivers: Considerations and Practical Tips (Posted July 2, 2020)
• COVID-19 and E-commerce: Website Terms of Use Agreements (Posted July 2, 2020)
• COVID-19 and Public Health Orders (Posted September 16, 2020)

As with many other industries, dispute resolution has been impacted by COVID-19, including, for example, the closure of courts. These articles address real-time issues such as executing affidavits and declarations, how to manage litigation during these challenging times, as well as other areas such as potential claims resulting from COVID-19.

• Force Majeure, Frustration, Cancellation, Material Adverse Change
• COVID-19 – Summary of Court Closures in Manitoba (Updated June 25, 2020)
• Executing Affidavits and Declarations During COVID-19 Pandemic
• UPDATE – Executing Affidavits and Declarations During COVID-19 Pandemic (March 26, 2020)
• Managing Litigation in Manitoba During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Potential Claims Resulting from COVID-19

As schools and businesses close down across the country and the economy as a whole slows down, employers and employees are dealing with unprecedented challenges. The information here will help employers continue their operations and understand the fast changing landscape as it relates to employees, layoffs, employment insurance programs, governmental support and other employment related issues.

• Questions about Mandatory Vaccination in the Workplace?
• The Impacts of COVID-19 on Common Law Reasonable Notice Periods
• Need a COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan?
• COVID-19 and Immigration-related Issues
• COVID-19 Quick Guide for Employers (Updated April 28, 2020)
• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (Posted April 24, 2020)
• Listen to Up To Speed with Ismaila Alfa (CBC Radio – April 28^th) where Employment Lawyer Benjamin Hecht discusses in detail a look at CERB, and some what-if scenarios
• Knowing your rights if you’re told to return to work – April 29^th Global NEWS interview with Employment Lawyer Benjamin Hecht
• Clarifying application rules for the Risk Recognition Program – June 4^th CJOB interview with Employment Lawyer Tracey Epp (Audio Vault – June 4^th starting at 10:00 am)

COVID-19 has a far reaching impact on the construction industry. From exception as a non-critical business, to the eventual slowdown and potential builders’ liens, to contractual relief, there are many issues affecting companies. This article provides some information on your legal rights.

• Construction Law Considerations in Light of COVID-19 (Posted April 2, 2020)

As COVID-19 has taken a foothold in Manitoba and across Canada, authorities continue to urge social distancing as a measure against the exponential spread of the virus. This has had a detrimental impact to our economy and many businesses are seeing a significant decrease in revenues. One question which arises for many businesses in these circumstances: Am I insured for this? The answer is ‘maybe’ and it’s worth exploring.

• COVID-19 and Business Interruption – “Am I Insured? (Posted April 3, 2020)

In this constantly evolving situation, companies must on an ongoing basis consider the actual and potential impacts to the business and take all reasonable steps to protect stakeholders including staff, customers and other stakeholders. This information provide resources and guidance on sound practices.

• Governance and Risk Management (Updated June 1, 2020)
• COVID-19 and the Not-For-Profit Sector (Updated May 15, 2020)
• Exemption from Physical Signature Requirement for Real Estate Listings, Offers and Acceptances (Posted April 27, 2020)
• Game On (Or Not)! – COVID-19 and Sporting Events & Other Events (Posted June 1, 2020)

There is no telling how long, and to what extent, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the financing industry. Whether from a lender’s perspective or borrower’s perspective, we suggest planning for an extended period of business interruption. This information can help provide a path forward.

• Security Documents: Tips for Lenders and Borrowers During COVID-19
• Videoconference Signings in Manitoba (Posted May 22, 2020)

COVID-19 is also having an impact within the securities industry. Learn how various regulatory authorities such as the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), and the Manitoba Financial Services Agency (“MFSA”) which regulates securities, real estate, cooperatives, credit unions, and insurance in Manitoba are responding. Keep up to date here.

• Securities Update (Updated May 15, 2020)

On March 18, 2020, the Federal Government announced Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which is aimed to reduce the economic burden and impact on individuals and Canadian businesses. We know that more changes are coming. The economic impact of COVID-19 is yet to be determined, however, organizations and businesses need to familiarize themselves with the ever-changing support and tax relief programs.

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan (Tax)
• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (Posted April 24, 2020)

While the movement of goods has remained an essential service and borders remain open for trade, the movement of passengers has been decimated. Transportation industries have been fundamentally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• COVID-19 and Transportation (Posted May 11, 2020)

One of the most obvious legal effects of COVID-19 is on immigration. We have all heard much discourse in the media concerning border restrictions but these restrictions are ever-evolving as are other immigration-related measures. As these measures continue to change, Pitblado lawyers are working hard to stay abreast of the changes in order to provide you with accurate and timely advice.

• COVID-19 and Immigration-related Issues (Updated March 27, 2020)

In the face of the COVID-19 outbreak, landlords and tenants may have questions about their existing leasing arrangements. This briefing note is intended to provide a general outline of some of the key issues that may apply to landlords and tenants in these circumstances.

• COVID-19 and Commercial Leasing
• Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (Posted April 27, 2020)

Privacy rights are never absolute in nature. Rather, in each case, there must be a careful assessment and balancing of competing interests, with a determination about what is reasonable in the circumstances. Many times, the result depends on the particular facts of a given situation. The COVID-19 pandemic provides further unique circumstances which must be taken into account by businesses and organizations.

• Privacy in the Time of a Pandemic
• Practical Privacy and Tech Tips for a Workforce that is Working from Home

The film and music industry is an important economic driver and like many industries, has been forced to cease operations. The Roadmap indicates that the film industry in Manitoba can resume operations in a limited manner as part of Phase Two.

• Film Re-Opening and the Music Industry (Updated May 22, 2020)
• Know Your Rights: Copyright in Canada in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond  (Posted May 8, 2020)
• Manitoba Film Industry is Open: Now What? (Posted June 10, 2020)

The COVID-19 pandemic reaches far and wide. We have put together an update on how this relates to Family Law issues. From court closures to filing documents to the impact on trials are just a few of the impacted areas.

• COVID-19 and Family Law-related Issues (Updated April 7,2020)

Given the legal requirements to create a valid Will, what options are available for a person in isolation or for someone who cannot satisfy the two witness requirement to form a Will in Manitoba?

• COVID-19 and Wills-related Issues (Updated June 22, 2020)

The Manitoba Government announced on March 21, 2020 that it was declaring a state of emergency in response to COVID-19. Under section 10 of The Emergency Measures Act, the Manitoba Government may declare a state of emergency in respect to all or any part of the province in the event of a major emergency or disaster. Below provides further information around the current measures implemented by the Manitoba Government.

• Manitoba Declares a State of Emergency – COVID-19 (Updated May 22, 2020)
• COVID-19 and Business Closures (Updated May 1, 2020)