COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Government of Canada introduces legislation to increase number of weeks for EI regular benefits and to prevent international travellers from qualifying for recovery benefits during mandatory quarantine

Unemployment benefits, 43rd Canadian Parliament, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Government in Canada, National responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disability benefits, Government, Canada, Articles

Thursday, February 25, 2021 - 5:10pm

The proposed legislation would provide workers with up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims that are established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Key Points:

The proposed legislation would provide workers with up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims that are established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
This change would be retroactive to claims established as of January 3, 2021 and would apply until September 25, 2021.
As announced on Feb. 19, 2021 , the Government will be increasing the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Benefits through regulations.
As of February 14, 2021, the numbers of unique applicants that have accessed the recovery benefits are:
1,715,090 for the Canada Recovery Benefit;
333,760 for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit; and
392,280 for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.

Peak Power Inc. Closes Latest Funding Round with Investment from The Atmospheric Fund

Software, Technology, Hardware, Other Technology, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Export Development Canada, Smart city, Electric vehicle battery, Canada

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 - 5:17pm

Toronto-based Peak Power (Peak) today announced that it has closed funding from The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), representing the fifth investor in Peaks capital funding round.

Key Points:

Toronto-based Peak Power (Peak) today announced that it has closed funding from The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), representing the fifth investor in Peaks capital funding round.
TAF will join Sensata Technologies, Export Development Canada (EDC), BDC Capital, and Hatch/Canadian Shield as a strategic investor in Peak.
Founded in 2015, Peak Power ( www.peakpowerenergy.com ) develops AI-powered software to create intelligent energy systems in smart cities.
It optimizes the use of synthetic, stationary, and electric vehicle batteries through its offerings: Peak Insight, Peak Synergy, and Peak Drive.

Government of Canada proposes increase to number of weeks for recovery benefits and EI regular benefits to ensure continued support for Canadians who have been hardest hit

Government of Canada, Government, Unemployment benefits, Labour law, Articles, 43rd Canadian Parliament, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, National responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disability benefits, Canada Revenue Agency, Employee benefits

Friday, February 19, 2021 - 7:27pm

As some workers could begin to exhaust their benefits in late March, this increase would ensure continued support as Canada's economy and labour force recovers.

Key Points:

As some workers could begin to exhaust their benefits in late March, this increase would ensure continued support as Canada's economy and labour force recovers.
They include the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.
As of February 14, 2021, the numbers of unique applicants that have accessed the recovery benefits are:
1,715,090 for the Canada Recovery Benefit;
333,760 for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit; and
392,280 for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.
Canadians would continue to apply for the recovery benefits through the Canada Revenue Agency and for Employment Insurance benefits through Service Canada.

Businesses are skeptical about vaccine effectiveness

Vaccination, Vaccine, Virology, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Medical specialties, Medicine, Health

Wednesday, February 17, 2021 - 1:40pm

While executives are not pessimistic about the vaccines effectiveness, fewer than a majority are strongly convinced that the vaccine will be effective in decreasing the spread of COVID in Canada.

Key Points:

While executives are not pessimistic about the vaccines effectiveness, fewer than a majority are strongly convinced that the vaccine will be effective in decreasing the spread of COVID in Canada.
Also, the vast majority of businesses think it is at least somewhat likely that the pandemic will worsen before a vaccine is fully rolled out in Canada.
This survey was carried out among a representative sample of over 700 Canadian managers and executives at the end of 2020.
Unlike other business surveys, the sample is fully random and representative of all Canadian businesses.

COVID Alert updated to help evaluate its effectiveness in reducing the spread of COVID-19

Mobile applications, COVID Alert, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Patty Hajdu, Privacy, Government of Canada, Software, Government in Canada

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 - 7:00pm

Millions of Canadians are downloading and using the free COVID Alert app in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Key Points:

Millions of Canadians are downloading and using the free COVID Alert app in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Today, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, and the Minister of Digital Government, the Honourable Joyce Murray, announced that the COVID Alert app will be updated to help measure its uptake, performance and effectiveness in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Update the app and see how COVID Alert works, with user statistics being published on Canada.ca/COVIDAlert in spring 2021.
"With these new performance metrics, we are still prioritizing privacy while increasing our understanding of the apps' effectiveness on reducing the spread of COVID-19."

Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on February 1, 2021

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, World Health Organization, Republic of Ireland

Monday, February 1, 2021 - 5:43pm

Due to reduced reporting over the weekend, national seven-day averages have not been updated in today's statement.

Key Points:

Due to reduced reporting over the weekend, national seven-day averages have not been updated in today's statement.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 778,972 cases of COVID-19 in Canada.
These factors underscore the importance of sustaining public health measures and individual practices and not easing restrictions too fast or too soon.
A range of public health measures and restrictions are in place across Canada as we continue our collective effort to interrupt the spread of the virus.

Peak Power Inc. Secures Funding from Hatch and BDC, the Bank for Canadian Entrepreneurs

Commercial Building & Real Estate, Technology, Construction & Property, Utilities, REIT, Building Systems, Alternative energy, Software, Energy, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Export Development Canada, BDC, Canada, Business Development Bank of Canada

Tuesday, January 26, 2021 - 3:23pm

Toronto-based Peak Power (Peak) announced today that it has received further funding from BDC Capital, the investment arm of BDC and Canadian Shield Capital, the investment arm of Hatch, a global engineering consultancy.

Key Points:

Toronto-based Peak Power (Peak) announced today that it has received further funding from BDC Capital, the investment arm of BDC and Canadian Shield Capital, the investment arm of Hatch, a global engineering consultancy.
BDC Capital and Canadian Shield Capital join Export Development Canada (EDC) and Sensata Ventures as investors to support Peaks global expansion.
Derek Lim Soo, CEO and Co-Founder of Peak Power, said of the investments, We are excited to welcome the support of Hatch and BDC.
BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs.

OraSure’s OMNIgene®·ORAL Saliva Collection Kit Selected by Chronomics for Use in UK Government “Test to Release for International Travel” COVID-19 Testing Program

Articles, Medicine, Branches of biology, COVID-19 testing, Coronavirus disease, Test to Release, Polymerase chain reaction, Rapid antigen test, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Tuesday, January 26, 2021 - 12:57pm

Chronomics Limited will supply its test for the United Kingdoms Test to Release for International Travel program.

Key Points:

Chronomics Limited will supply its test for the United Kingdoms Test to Release for International Travel program.
The Test to Release for International Travel program enables travelers to England to purchase a COVID-19 test privately from providers including Chronomics.
The project is part of the UKs plan to use Covid-19 testing to reduce the spread of the virus.
Our COVID-19 PCR laboratory test, using DNA Genoteks OMNIgeneORAL as the saliva collection device,is non-invasive, easy to self-administer and the gold standard in COVID-19 tests.

Ontario Long-Term Care COVID-19 Crisis: 100 Organizations Send Clear Message to Premier Ford, This is an Emergency, We Need Action Now

Canadian Labour Congress, Canadian Union of Public Employees, International Transport Workers' Federation, Public Services International, Government of Ontario, Trade unions, Federations, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Friday, January 22, 2021 - 10:10pm

Families with loved ones in long-term care homes across Ontario shared their experiences of woefully inadequate staffing resulting in unsafe care levels.

Key Points:

Families with loved ones in long-term care homes across Ontario shared their experiences of woefully inadequate staffing resulting in unsafe care levels.
The Ontario Government must take immediate action to increase staffing in long-term care homes to meet residents care needs and the ongoing challenges which have arisen during the pandemic.
We stand with everyone in Ontario to demand better staffing conditions, increased staffing and a better quality of life for those in long-term care.
Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario (CUPE Ontario): CUPE Ontario demands immediate action by the Ford government to improve the time to care in long-term care homes.

REPEAT -- 100 Organizations & Families of Long-Term Care Person Join Press Conference Reacting to Ford Government's False Claims, Demand Immediate Action to Address the Crisis

Health, Ontario, Merrilee Fullerton, Nursing home, COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Friday, January 22, 2021 - 12:00pm

Merrilee Fullerton, the Minister of Long-Term Care, has repeatedly downplayed the crisis, saying there is not one long-term care home in Ontario that has a staffing crisis.

Key Points:

Merrilee Fullerton, the Minister of Long-Term Care, has repeatedly downplayed the crisis, saying there is not one long-term care home in Ontario that has a staffing crisis.
In fact, in long-term care homes with large outbreaks staffing is crumbling, and across the province, in outbreak or not, many long-term care homes have dangerously low levels of staff and care.
The number of long-term care homes in large outbreak has escalated alarmingly and the outbreaks have spread geographically.
The Ontario Health Coalition is holding a press conference with four speakers, backed by 100 organizations and families representing residents and staff in long-term care by Zoom Press Conference, this Friday morning, January 22 at 10:00 AM.