SEPTEMBER 2020 UPDATE: Mandatory Screening for Ontario Workplaces
On Friday September 25, 2020, the Ontario Government released an amendment to Ontario Regulation 364/20, the “Rules for Areas in Stage 3” under the Reopening Act, 2020. This amendment requires that all employers must screen employees and essential visitors prior to entry into their workplaces.
Read more HERE.
Who can currently operate in Ontario?
SUPPLY CHAINS
Businesses that supply other essential businesses or essential services within Ontario, or that supply businesses or services that have been declared essential in a jurisdiction outside of Ontario, with the support, products, supplies, systems, or services, including processing, packaging, warehousing, distribution, delivery, and maintenance necessary to operate.
MANUFACTURING
Businesses that extract, manufacture, process and distribute goods, products, equipment and materials, including businesses that manufacture inputs to other manufacturers, (e.g. primary metal/ steel, blow molding, component manufacturers, chemicals, etc. that feed the end-product manufacturer), regardless of whether those other manufacturers are inside or outside of Ontario, together with businesses that support and facilitate the movement of goods within integrated North American and global supply chains.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Businesses that deliver or support the delivery of services including:
Collecting, transporting, storing, processing, disposing or recycling of any type of waste.
COVID-19 health and safety guidelines for workplaces
Guidance for Warehouse Workers, Forklift Operators & Material Handlers
Guidance for Supervisors, Production & Operations Management
Guidance for Equipment Operators and General Labourers
Guidance for Waste Collection Workers
Guidance for Transport Drivers
Guidance on Cleaning and Sanitizing Inside Your Vehicle
Provincial support for businesses
Provincial Tax Relief
Tax filing and remittance deadlines remain the same, but interest or penalties will be waived automatically until at least August 31, 2020. Business Education Property Tax payments will be deferred for one payment quarter (90 days after June).
The minimum payroll amount for the Employer Health Tax will be increased to $1,000,000 for 2020. Businesses with payrolls less than a million will not have to pay any EHT. For eligible private-sector employers with payrolls up to $5 million, the first $1 million of total Ontario remuneration is exempt, increasing the exemption to $19,500 for 2020.
Provincial property tax reassessment will be deferred for one year. Assessments for the 2021 taxation year will continue to be based on the same valuation date that was in effect for the 2020 taxation year.
WSIB premium reporting and payments will be deferred for 6 months. In the interim, the Province will cover all employee claims. No interest will accrue on outstanding premium payments and no penalties will be charged during this period.
