by SHCA SHCA

Federal/Provincial COVID-19 Support Programs

At the beginning of April, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Minister of Small Business Mary Ng and Minister of Innovation Navdeep Bains announced details relating to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and provided updates on other previously announced programs.

The Emergency Wage Subsidy will cover 75 per cent of salaries for qualifying businesses for up to three months retroactive to March 15, 2020. Charities, not for profits and businesses (big and small) will all be eligible IF their revenues drop by 30 per cent when compared to the same time period in 2019. For organizations that do not meet the 30 per cent threshold, they may qualify for the previously announced Temporary Wage Subsidy of 10 per cent that is paid from March 18 to June 20, 2020.

Also earlier in April, Manitoba increased security for renters by putting a freeze on rent increases and postponing eviction hearings. As well, they released their list of essential services.

Please view the updated infographic below for an overview of all programs released to date (including links to the appropriate government websites).

by SHCA SHCA

Sask. WCB Offers Relief Measures for Employers

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is introducing additional relief measures for employers who are unable to pay their WCB premium payments. Effective April 1 until June 30, 2020, the WCB will waive penalties and interest charges for late premium payments.

The Government of Saskatchewan announced various measures to support provincial business owners during the COVID-19 crisis. To provide further relief for Saskatchewan employers, the WCB is:

  • Forgiving interest and penalties for late payments on 2020 premiums applied in the month of March.
  • Prioritizing employer payroll revisions to help employers reduce their premiums.
  • Suspending payroll audits until further notice except in situations where an employer may be eligible for a refund.

“We are dealing with extraordinary circumstances throughout the province of Saskatchewan. Recognizing the economic challenges many employers are facing, we are introducing these relief measures for covered employers while balancing our financial obligations,” said the WCB’s CEO Phil Germain. “By giving employers extra time to submit their payments without facing any penalties, they will be able to communicate their revised payroll estimates to the WCB and determine payment plan options.”

Employers who have reduced their workforce are encouraged to submit revisions to their 2020 assessable payroll estimates, which the WCB will use to recalculate their required premiums. Employers who have concerns about paying their 2020 premiums should contact the WCB to discuss their options.

Effective immediately, to ensure employers can release payment to their contractors promptly during the COVID-19 crisis, clearance letters will be available for employers that meet specific criteria, even in cases where the contractor’s WCB account has not been paid. Employers will not be liable for any outstanding WCB premiums the contractor owes.

Under the WCB’s legislation, The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, the WCB is required to be fully funded at all times.

The WCB will continue to monitor this situation and make decisions that balance the needs of employers and injured workers.

Learn more on the WCB’s website.

by SHCA SHCA

Collecting Masks for Frontline Healthcare Workers

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has picked up almost 700 respirators from a stockpile provided by construction companies, according to the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA).

SHCA president Shantel Lipp said the stockpile had grown to 1,400 since she put out a call to member companies and partner associations on March 21.

Read the rest of the article from the Leader-Post here.

SHCA members with supplies to donate can drop them off at the SHCA office for pick-up by the SHA.

Shantel Lipp - SHCA President
by SHCA SHCA

Essential Now and Later

If anything is certain today, it is that we are living in uncertain times.

When will we see a light at the end of this seemingly endless COVID-19 tunnel? What will our economy look like when we do? How will we recover?

When life does return to normal – and it will one day – Canadians will look to our industry as one that can lead us to a stronger economic future.

We know there’s an infrastructure deficit in this country that ranges anywhere from $125 billion to $600 billion. That spells a massive opportunity for those in our industry and it may just be the spark to reloading the Canadian economy once the pandemic has been defeated.

In previous economic meltdowns, public-sponsored projects played a major role in stimulating jobs and firing up the consumer economy. It’s one of the reasons Saskatchewan has more roads than just about anywhere – we built them in the 1930s.

These roads are in need of maintenance and new roads are begging to be built.

Yes, a number of communities within our province and our country have announced business closures and have stated that only organizations necessary to provide essential services are permitted to operate.

Thankfully, that includes our industry.

Many of us can forge ahead with our projects this season, albeit under strict health and safety guidelines. Canada’s National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure lists transportation infrastructure as an essential service to the health, safety, security and economic wellbeing of Canadians and the effective functioning of government.

Services and functions essential to preserving life, health and basic societal functioning also are included. Our first responders, healthcare workers, hydro and natural gas workers and those who supply food and medicines all rely on our network of roads and highways to perform.

It is critical that these services continue to operate, just as it’s critical for our industry to continue to operate.

The money being spent now at all levels of government will get us through the immediate challenges we face. However, that money will leave no long-term assets behind. Building infrastructure will create a legacy serving the economy for the next 50 years.

And that’s when it will be our time to shine. Be ready.

I wish all of our members good health during these challenging times.

by SHCA SHCA

Notice to SHCA Members about the Coronavirus

With CONEXPO ongoing this week and the 2020 construction season kicking off, SHCA is advising all members to ensure they have the proper preventative measures in place to address any potential exposure to COVID-19.

Safety is always a priority on jobsites and managing the risk of COVID-19 should be no exception. Simply from a human resources perspective, tradespeople can’t work from home, so we strongly encourage employers to provide common sense advice about the simple actions employees are expected to take to reduce the risk. We also suggest they have a clear policy regarding when workers should stay home, enforce sanitary standards in portable washrooms and keep hand sanitizer stocked when running water isn’t available.

The following are guidelines for workers/travelers:

It is important for all travelers to monitor their health when they return to Canada. While abroad, you may have come in contact with COVID-19. Monitor for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days after you arrive in Canada. If you have these symptoms, contact HealthLine 811 for assessment and direction.

The research and data on COVID-19 continues to grow and evolve. Advice for travelers will be updated based on the latest science available.

The public health risk associated with COVID-19 remains low for Canada. Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available.

Symptoms of coronavirus

Common signs include respiratory symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Older people or those with chronic illnesses may be at higher risk for a more severe form of the disease.

 

Treatment of coronavirus

Like most respiratory illnesses, most people with common coronavirus illness will recover on their own. There is no specific treatment for disease caused by a novel coronavirus. However, many of the symptoms can and should be treated. If symptoms feel worse than a standard cold, see a health care provider or call Healthline at 811. If you are planning to see your health care provider or go to the emergency room, please call ahead and explain your symptoms and travel history so they can make appropriate safety accommodations.

How to protect yourself against coronavirus

Currently, there is no approved vaccine that protects against coronaviruses in humans.

As a respiratory illness, the best method to protect yourself against coronavirus is to practice everyday preventive actions, including:

  • Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend of your elbow);
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
  • Maintain safe food practices; and
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

There is no evidence that surgical masks protect persons who are not sick. The World Health Organization does not recommend the use of any masks if you do not have a travel history and respiratory symptoms. If you have respiratory symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing and a relevant travel history, you should wear a surgical/procedure mask when seeking medical care at a health facility. If you are going to a health care facility for treatment of your respiratory illness and do not have a mask, ask for one at the admission desk and one will be provided to you.