Yesterday CGIB hosted a webinar to educate advisors on the drug programs available in each province. We had members from almost every province share how their system worked for their residents. Each province varies widely, especially when it comes to high cost drugs. It pays to understand what programs may be available.

How does this pertain to you? With many people working remotely, we will likely see more employees working from further away and in fact, from across Canada. We have posted a page with links to each provinces programs if you or your staff need help accessing services or finding out more.

https://www.mainstayinsurance.ca/mainlinkimages/Provincial%20Webinar%20links.pdf

As employees prepare their taxes, you may get some questions on expenses for those working from home during COVID.  The attached article, and calculator from CRA, may provide some assistance to you and your staff if questions arise.

Home office expense calculator for employees

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-229-other-employment-expenses/work-space-home-expenses/calculate-expenses.html

April 30 is fast approaching, and employers are facing an unprecedented number of questions from employees regarding claiming home office expenses. With the transition to working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees are wondering if they are eligible to claim home office expenses on their 2020 income tax returns.

https://www.mondaq.com/canada/financing/1049650/covid-19-and-claiming-home-office-expenses-for-employees

We’ve had a few clients reach out about public COVID vaccinations and how they might get them.  In Ontario there are a few areas that are being set up for a private vaccination pilot. If you’re between 60 and 64, the details are below.

If you’re in another province or area, check your local regional government site for details.

Starting March 10, 2021, select pharmacies in the following public health units are booking appointments for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for eligible people between the ages of 60 and 64 (at the day of vaccination or, if you will be or have been 60 to 64 in 2021):

• Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington
• Toronto
• Windsor-Essex County

You must have an appointment to get vaccinated at a participating pharmacy.

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations

Employers with employees in Ontario often ask us to confirm legislative requirements under various employment statutes, including mandatory postings, training, and policies under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Accessibility for Ontarian’s with Disabilities Act.

To make this information conveniently available, the Littler Toronto team has assembled these requirements into a single publication.  An updated version of this publication can now be accessed through the link below.

These apply to ALL Ontario Employers.  Make sure you are compliant.

Ontario Mandatory Postings

BBD has created a great resource for Plan Administrators.  It provides almost everything you can think of relating to taxes, and government programs around benefit plans. Just click on the image below to download a copy.

Recent legal cases have made many employment agreements null and void. It may be time for you to update yours and if you don’t have them in place, implement them now.

In order to help with this process Mainstay Insurance makes ConnectsUs HR available to all our clients at no charge.  They have made changes to their employment agreements in consideration of the Waksdale case.  If you’re already signed up, log in and find out more here. If you’re a Mainstay clients and not currently signed up, give me a call and we’ll get you set up.

If you’re looking for more on the case, see below

At this point, we’re all likely familiar with the Waksdale v Swegon North America Inc., 2020 ONCA 391 (Waksdale) case, in which the Ontario Court of Appeal held that termination clauses in Ontario employment agreements are read as a whole.

On January 14, the Supreme Court of Canada denied an application to appeal the Ontario Court of Appeal decision.

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