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July 30, 2020

WorkSafeBC Update on Schedule 1 WorkSafeBC On July 22, 2020, the Board of Directors approved amendments to Schedule 1 of the Act to add a presumption for infections caused by communicable viral pathogens, which are the subject of a BC-specific emergency declaration or notice. Consequential amendments are also made to Item C4-28.00, Contagious Diseases, and Appendix 2 of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II to reflect the Schedule 1 amendment. These amendments will come into effect on October 26, 2020. On July 14, 2020, the Minister of Labour tabled Bill 23, which proposes to eliminate the mandated 90-day waiting period in the Act before a WorkSafeBC regulatory amendment comes into effect, in relation to an occupational disease that is an infection caused by a communicable viral pathogen. If Bill 23 is passed prior to October 26, 2020, the effective date of the Schedule 1 amendment and consequential amendments will be adjusted accordingly. Please click here to view the Resolution. Commentary: CHBA BC and other stakeholders have sent letters to WorkSafeBC and the Minister of Labour regarding concerns with both the addition to Schedule 1 and Bill 23. While we disagree with this announcement, it is provided for member reference should the bill pass.

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CEWS extended & new changes expected to help more businesses access relief   Yesterday, the House of Commons passed Bill C-20, which includes an extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and a suite of changes to broaden access to the program to more businesses impacted by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes, originally announced July 17 by the federal Minister of Finance, are intended support more businesses as they reopen and scale up operations and help transition workers back into the economy as it too gradually reopens. The program details will be in effect until November 21, 2020, with the whole program extended to December 19, 2020. The federal government has made the following changes to the program: Introducing a sliding scale to allow businesses with a revenue decline of less than 30 percent, but still struggling, to get support to keep and bring back workers. Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25 percent for employers that have been most adversely affected by the pandemic. Provide certainty to employers that have already made business decisions for July and August by ensuring they would not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have had under the previous rules. Slowly stepping-down the levels of support as the economy reopens. Adjusting CEWS support for furloughed employees to align with the benefits provided through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and/or Employment Insurance (EI).

Georgie's Corner The 2021 Georgie Awards Call For Entries will open up this mid-August, with the final submission date being October 30th, 2020. Find out more on how you can apply here.

Sneak peek at WorkSafe Magazine   We’ve seen a number of inspiring stories from employers across B.C. who have made health and safety their top priority during an extremely challenging time — and I’m pleased to provide you with an early look at some of these stories. Below is an advance link to our next edition of WorkSafe Magazine, which covers some of the ways that B.C. employers have been implementing a COVID-19 safety plan with the help of WorkSafeBC’s Prevention officers and our online materials. We’ll make the issue more broadly available at the end of this month and then distribute it in print soon after, but feel free to share this with your contacts in the meantime. See your advance copy of WorkSafe Magazine here.

Preparing for Bill 23   On July 14, the provincial government introduced Bill 23 into the legislature. The bill recommends a number of changes to the Workers Compensation Act to enhance support for workers, including expanding WorkSafeBC's investigative powers. We look forward to the outcomes of this process and will be ready to implement any changes to better serve the workers and employers of B.C. Learn more about Bill 23.

Provincial Update   Connect with the Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC Dennis Hall, Director of Publishing, MultiView, 469-420-2656 | Download media kit Oliver Kirby, Sr. Content Editor, 289-695-5401 | Contribute news Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia 400-6400 Roberts Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 4C9 | 604.432.7112 | Contact Us | www.chbabc.org Click here to unsubscribe. Learn how to add us to your safe sender list so our emails get to your inbox. All advertising in the weekly Provincial Update is booked through a third-party. Advertising in the brief should not be considered as an endorsement from CHBA BC for the outlined product or policy. ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE PAST ISSUES 7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX, 75063