• On April 15, the government expanded access to CERB eligibility criteria
• April 6 – Applications for CERB are open. For details and to apply, please visit the Federal COVID-19 benefits program portal.
• Starting April 6, if you have not applied for EI, you can apply for the CERB at canada.ca/coronavirus-cerb. If you have already applied for EI, you do not need to re-apply for this benefit.

Note that this timing will have no effect on the approval timing of your application.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit supports Canadians by providing financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. Applications for CERB are now open – to apply please click here.

CERB Overview

• CERB is available to everyone except those receiving EI or the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
• It can be received by mail or direct deposit – payments will be received in 3 to 5 days for direct deposit, and in 10 days by mail, from the application submission date
• Recipients will be required to confirm once a month that they are still without a job
• Provide $2,000 a month for those who have lost their income because of COVID-19 including those:
  • Taking care of children or seniors
  • People who still have a job but do not receive salary can also access the benefit
  • All employees of a business, including the owner, are eligible

CERB will be taxable like EI, but the tax will only be taken during the next income filling.

NOTE: The government is aware of small business owners’ concerns regarding CERB potentially disincentivizing lower income bracket employees from working. Small Business Minister Mary Ng recently noted that CERB is meant to ensure that all Canadians who lost their income due to COVID-19 can afford housing and food, but the government will investigate such concerns once we get closer to the recovery stage.

March 31 CERB FAQ

If I am in practice with my partner/spouse can we both apply for CERB?

Yes. It is an individual benefit.

Is it a taxable benefit?

Not at the point of payment but you will have to claim it in your taxes at the end of the year as income.

Can I apply for the $40,000 loan for small businesses or any of the other emergency credit for small businesses?

Yes, the only restriction is you cannot apply for EI.

Do students qualify for CERB if they graduated and were supposed to start working in March or April?

You will only qualify if you have earned $5,000 in the previous year. If you did not work, you won’t be eligible for this benefit. You will need to apply for student loan forgiveness and engage family support during this period unless the government releases another emergency benefit for students

Further information on CERB is available on the website of the legal firm Fasken. All their COVID-19 bulletins can be found here.

NOTE: Applications under the expanded Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) eligibility criteria will open on Friday, June 19. Read the press release.

May 24 – CEBA eligibility criteria have been expanded to include more businesses that are sole proprietorships receiving income directly from their businesses; businesses that rely on contractors; and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll. Read the government announcement for details.

• Provides interest-free loans up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits to help cover operating costs where their revenues have been temporarily reduced.
• $10 000 of the $40 000 CEBA loans will be forgivable if paid back by 2022, allowing businesses that need just a portion of the amount to technically receive a federal financial grant of $10 000.
• Organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019 to qualify.
• Business owners can apply through their banks and credit unions.

NOTE: The federal government is actively encouraging all provinces to implement a ban on commercial evictions in order to encourage use of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program. Some provinces including Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia have already implemented a temporary ban on evictions. We are hopeful that the remainder will follow.

• Download our CECRA Frequently Asked Questions document
• Download the CECRA template letter and customize to use with your clinic landlord
• IMPORTANT: Applications for CECRA can be made at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) website.
  • Landlords are asked to register on specific days, based on their province or territory of residence in the first days.
  • Visit the CMHC website and review the information and application documents in advance where you can also find an overview of the program, sample forms, FAQs, and explains why property owners should apply.
• CECRA will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses for the months of April, May, and June.
• The government will cover 50 per cent of this reduction while property owners (landlords) cover the remaining 25 per cent.
• Small business tenants will be eligible for this program if they are paying less than $50,000 per month in rent and have temporarily ceased operations or have experienced at least a 70 per cent drop in pre-COVID-19 revenues.
• The federal, provincial and territorial governments will work together to implement CECRA.

• The program will further support financing in the private sector through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC).
• BDC can help with the right financing and advice for your business.
• Small Business Loan: Up to $100,000 can be obtained online.
• Working capital loan: Get extra funds to bridge cash flow gaps and support everyday operations.
• Purchase Order Financing: Increase your cash flow to fulfill domestic or international orders with very flexible terms.
• Business Development Bank of Canada – Support for entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus
• Export Development Canada COVID-19

Participating Banks

• Bank of Nova Scotia
• Bank of Montreal
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
• HSBC Bank Canada
• Toronto Dominion Bank
• Royal Bank of Canada
• National Bank of Canada
• Desjardins
• Laurentian Bank of Canada

Other Participating Institutions

• Canadian Bankers Association
• Canadian Credit Union Association

• Canada Emergency Business Account
  • Enables banks to offer $40,000 loans guaranteed by the government to qualifying businesses
  • Subject to conditions, the loans will be interest free for the first year and $10,000 will be forgivable
  • Additional details to be provided once available
• Improving access to guaranteed loans for small and medium-sized businesses through an additional $12.5 billion funding to Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada
• Deferring GST and HST payments until June 2020 – equivalent to giving $30 billion to businesses

IMPORTANT: CEWS Extension and Changes to Eligibility Criteria

Following consultations with business and labour representatives on potential adjustments to the CEWS program, the government recently announced proposed changes to the CEWS that would broaden the reach of the program and provide better targeted support so that more workers can return to their jobs quickly as the economy restarts. Read the news release.

Proposed Changes:

• Allow the extension of the CEWS until December 19, 2020, including redesigned program details.
• Make the subsidy accessible to a broader range of employers by including employers with a revenue decline of less than 30 per cent and providing a gradually decreasing base subsidy to all qualifying employers. This would help many struggling employers with less than a 30-per-cent revenue loss get support to keep and bring back workers, while also ensuring those who have previously benefited could still qualify, even if their revenues recover and no longer meet the 30 per cent revenue decline threshold.
• Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25 per cent for employers that have been most adversely affected by the pandemic. This would be particularly helpful to employers in industries that are recovering more slowly.
• 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.
• Address certain technical issues identified by stakeholders.

*The proposed changes would allow all employers that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis to access a base CEWS amount for active employees. Please note that the rate of the base CEWS would now vary depending on the level of revenue decline.

**For more information about the proposed changes please read the Department of Finance Backgrounder

Overview

• CEWS will be extended by an additional 12 weeks to August 29, 2020.
• The government will consult with key business and labour representatives in May/June on potential adjustments to the program eligibility criteria, including the 30% revenue decline threshold. The consultation key objectives will be to maximize employment, ensure CEWS reflects the immediate needs of businesses, and support the post-crisis economic recovery.
• The government also intends to propose legislative amendments that better align the treatment of trusts and corporations for the purpose of determining eligibility.
• Read the Extending Eligibility for the CEWS Backgrounder for additional information.
• Wage subsidy covering up to 75% of wages for qualifying businesses will be available for businesses:

• • of all sizes (The number of people a business employs will not determine eligibility)
  • that have seen at least a 30-per-cent drop (15 per cent in March) in revenues due to COVID-19
• Will cover the first $58,700 that Canadians earn, up to $847 a week to help retain employees
• Applications can be submitted retroactively to March 15
• Read the CEWS backgrounder for details
• Read the FAQ about the 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for employers for up to three months, retroactive to March 18
• Further information on wage subsidies for employers is available on the websiteof the legal firm Fasken. All their COVID-19 bulletins can be found here.
• Eligibility calculated by revenue from this time last year – employers will have to demonstrate that their revenue has decreased by at least 30% compared to the same period last year
• Businesses will be able to use January or February of 2020 as reference points to demonstrate a 30% drop in revenues to qualify. Additionally, businesses only need to show a 15% revenue loss in March. Charities and non-for-profit organizations can include or exclude government funding as they choose.
• Employers will need to attest that they are doing everything they can to pay the remaining 25% of employee wages to qualify. There will be flexibility for businesses that are unable to cover the 25%.
• Eligible employers would be able to apply for the CEWS through the Canada Revenue Agency’s My Business Account portalas well as a web-based application. Details to follow as available.
• Payments will be available in 6 weeks.
• There will be severe consequences for those who attempt to abuse the system.
• Note: The government also offers a 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers for up to three months, retroactive to March 18. Read the FAQ

The government has launched the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy calculator on the CRA website to support you as you prepare to apply for the CEWS. The CEWS calculator will help you determine the amount you can expect to receive. The calculator and detailed information and instructions about who can apply for the subsidy, how eligibility is assessed, and how the subsidy is calculated can be found on CRA’s Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Web page.

• Employers can use the SUB Program to increase their employees’ weekly earnings when they are unemployed due to a temporary stoppage of work, training, illness, injury or quarantine
• Payments that are registered with Service Canada are not considered earnings and are not deducted from EI benefits

On March 27, the Bank of Canada lowered its target for the overnight interest rate to 0.25 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly lowered to 0.5 per cent and the deposit rate to 0.25 per cent. This decision is intended to support the Canadian financial system and economy.

• The government launched an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program (IMPP) and will purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to provide long-term stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders, The goal is to facilitate continued lending to Canadian consumers and businesses, and add liquidity to Canada’s mortgage market.
• Details on CMHC programs can be viewed here.
• CMHC is prepared to further support the liquidity of the financial markets through its mortgage funding programs as necessary.
• The Bank of Canada has announced that it will adjust its market liquidity operations to maintain market functioning and credit availability.
  • Canada’s large banks have affirmed their commitment to working with customers to provide flexible solutions, on a case-by-case basis. Support will include up to a 6-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.

Bank of Montreal

• BMO has introduced a financial relief program with flexible financial relief options for personal and small business customers. To help you with immediate relief, BMO offers up to a 6-month payment deferral on mortgages, loans, credit cards, and lines of credit with no fee (payment will be deferred but interest will continue to accrue) and no changes to account terms.

Royal Bank of Canada

• Relief programs for personal and business clients who have experienced financial hardship have been created. Some programs are available by self-serve for up to one month, including the possibility to skip a mortgage payment, an auto-loan payment, and/or a personal loan payment.
• Relief options are considered on a case-by-case basis and may include:
  • Business loan payment deferrals
  • Increases to operating line of credit limits
  • Waiving of credit card minimum payments
  • Waived fees for new enrollments to cash management solutions

TD Canada Trust

• TD will work with personal and small business customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through challenges such as:
  • Pay disruption
  • Childcare disruption due to school closures; or those facing illness from COVID-19. This support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products
• Call TD at 1-888-720-0075 for more information.

CIBC

• CIBC will work with clients on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help manage challenges, including up to a 6-month payment deferral for mortgages and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.
• Due to a high volume of calls, CIBC encourages those who are experiencing financial hardship to first complete the bank’s financial assistance form.
• Clients whose individual situation requires immediate attention, such as having a payment due in the next 48 hours, can talk to their CIBC advisor by calling 1-877-454-9030.

Scotiabank

• Scotiabank will work with customers on a case-by-case basis to help understand, and hopefully alleviate, financial hardships their clients may be experiencing, including mortgage payment deferrals and relief on credit products.
• If a client, or any member of their family, has become unemployed or experiences a material reduction in income, they may be eligible to qualify for relief measures until September 13, 2020, including
  • Mortgage deferrals – clients will not be required to make regular payments on for up to 6 months. During that time interest will continue to accrue.
  • Personal Loans or Auto Loans – on unsecured and secured term loans, you can defer up to 3 months of payments.
  • Lines of Credit – on unsecured and secured lines of credit, you can defer up to 3 months of minimum payments.
  • Credit Cards – on secured and unsecured credit cards, you can defer your minimum payment for up to 3 months.
• To access financial relief, clients should contact their financial advisor or call 1-800-4-SCOTIA.

National Bank

• Clients directly affected by the current situation and may have difficulty making their payments could be eligible for special measures.
• Measures may include payment deferrals of up to six months on mortgages or longer amortization periods. Special loans to cover living expenses may also be offered.

This program is most suited for administrative staff in chiropractic clinics. It is designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer.

• The Government of Canada will introduce enhancements to the Work-Sharing Program – a three-way agreement that can be negotiated between Service Canada, the employer and the employee to provide EI benefits to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hour as a result of developments beyond the control of their employers. Special measures include:
  • Extension of the maximum duration from 38 weeks to 76 weeks
  • Waiving the 30 day wait period for those who have used the work-sharing program in the past.

• Tax filing deadline is extended until June 1^st, 2020
• Taxes on individual income and corporation income will not have to be paid until September 1^st,2020
• www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html

The Government of Canada has enhanced the Employment Insurance Program by waiving the one-week waiting period and the requirement for a medical certificate for employment insurance (EI) sickness benefits to provide immediate support for workers in quarantine. They have also introduced an Emergency Support Benefit to provide support to workers facing unemployment who are not eligible for EI.

For guidance on how to prepare a Record of Employment (ROE), please visit Employment and Social Development Canada’s online guide at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/ei/ei-list/reports/roe-guide/understand.html

Notes

• This guide contains general information about how to complete the ROE. If you are submitting ROEs on the Web and you need technical information, please consult the help instructions on ROE Web or call the Employer Contact Centre at 1-800-367-5693 (TTY: 1-855-881-9874).
• For the most up-to-date information about ROEs, please consult their ROE web pages.

Employment Insurance

• Benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine, to allow them time to restore their health and return to work.
• The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim
• People claiming EI sickness benefits due to quarantine will not have to provide a medical certificate

• $400 for single adults
• $600 for couples

• $300 more per child will be provided to supplement the Canada Child Benefit Program.

Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)

CESB provides financial support to post-secondary students, and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who are unable to find work due to COVID-19. This benefit is for students who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI). Please click here to apply.

• CESB will provide $1,250 per month from May-August 2020
  • Students taking care of others or living with a disability will be able to get up to $2,000 per month
• Eligibility
  • Current post-secondary students
  • Students who graduated in December 2019
  • Students who are going to college in September 2020
  • Students who are working and make $1,000 or less a month
  • Payments made through the CRA
  • If you are a student or new grad and do not have a CRA account, set one up here.

Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG)

• The CSSG is now open! The grant aims to support post-secondary students and recent graduates who volunteer in the fight against COVID-19. It will allow these volunteers to gain valuable experience and provide them with a one-time payment of between $1,000 and $5,000 based on the number of hours they serve. For every 100 hours worked, the volunteer will be eligible for $1,000.
• Post-secondary students and recent graduates will be able to find local organizations looking for help during the pandemic by using the I Want to Help platform.
• The platform provides more details on the grant and includes a list of not-for-profit organizations for which volunteer work will be compensated.
• For more information, please read the Frequently Asked Questions section or send an inquiry at support@iwanttohelp.org.

 The government is also:

• Doubling federal student grants for 2020-2021
• Creating 80,000 jobs for young people in sectors that need help or are responding to the pandemic
  • Please note that thousands of opportunities under the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program are now being posted to the Job Bank website for jobs available across the country.
• The government is also supporting an additional 20,000 job placements for post-secondary students in high demand sectors through the Student Work Placement Program.
• Creating 5,000 new internships through Mitacs for college and university students across Canada with small and medium-sized businesses.
• Increasing funding to the Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) program by $40 million to help post-secondary graduates gain professional work experience.
• Creating over 3,500 new job placements and internships through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.
• Creating 5,000 to 10,000 more work-integrated learning opportunities through the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER).
• Investing $291 million for post-secondary students in grants, scholarships, and fellowships
• Providing $75 million in support for Indigenous students

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has developed a Pandemic Preparedness Guide to support businesses. In addition to the guide, which provides useful info about business continuity and crisis plans and best practices, their website has webinars, toolkits and links to government programs.

British Columbia Chiropractic Association

Email: info@bcchiro.com
Phone: 604-270-1332
BCCA employees are working from home. The best way to contact the BCCA is by email – info@bcchiro.com.  Voicemails left on the main line will be returned as soon as possible.

The College of Chiropractors of British Columbia

Email: info@chirobc.com
Phone: 604-742-6470 or 1-877-742-6470

• November 23: Province-wide restrictions: new COVID-19 measures
• November 7: CCBC URGENT NOTICE: COVID-19 Orders and Mandatory Medical Masks
• May 19: Providing In-person Community Care in BC During COVID-19
• May 19: Providing in-person care during COVID-19: Guidance for registrants
• April 22: Amendments to Appendix P – Telehealth (COVID-19)

Province of BC

News

• January 19: State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
• January 5: State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
• December 30: Supports for people, businesses in 2020 helping build recovery for everyone
• December 22: State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
• December 18: Online applications open for BC Recovery Benefit
• December 8: Applications for $1,000 B.C. Recovery Benefit will begin soon
• December 8: State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
• November 24: Province extends emergency, introduces mask enforcement measures
• November 12: State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
• November 10: Rent freeze extended, pending increases cancelled
• October 27: State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response

Business

• July 16: Province outlines repayment framework to support tenants, landlords
• June 1: B.C. strengthens federal commercial rent program
• BC COVID-19 Action Plan
• Resources for employers from WorkSafeBC
• Business continuity & COVID-19: key considerations for small business (pdf)
• BC Economic Development Association COVID-19 resources for businesses
• Small Business BC: COVID-19 Resources

 Health

• May 19: Infection prevention and control guidance for health care providers in clinic settings
• March 19: PAIN BC – resources for people living with pain
• BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) resources for health care professionals
• BC Centre of Disease Control (BCCDC) information on COVID-19
• BC Ministry of Health COVID-19 Self-assessment tool

Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors (ACAC)

Email: office@albertachiro.com
Phone: 780-420-0932

• January 21: COVID-19 Update – January 21, 2021
• January 14: Weekly COVID-19 update – January 14, 2021
• January 7: A message from the CEO and Registrar – January 7, 2021
• December 17: Weekly COVID-19 update
• December 10: COVID-19 update: information from AHS on wearing eye protection and exposures and investigations
• December 9: COVID-19 update: chiropractic clinics to remain open, new restrictions announced
• August 12: Notice to Members – August 11, 2020, COVID-19 update
• May 4: Our Clinics are adjusting to keep you safe

Province of Alberta

• January 14: Expanding funding to support new businesses
• December 8: Historic support for Alberta small businesses
• November 24: Strong restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19
• November 24: COVID-19 info for Albertans: Actions to protect Albertans and prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.
• November 23: Supports for Alberta’s small businesses
• July 17: Alberta Premier Jason Kenney welcomes $19 billion Safe Restart Agreement
• June 29: Alberta’s Recovery Plan: Creating jobs, building, diversifying
• June 25: Expanding access to COVID-19 testing
• June 23: Alberta to invest in targeted serology testing
• June 22: Alberta’s free mask distribution a huge success
• June 18: Continuing support for Albertans during COVID-19: Bill 24, the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act, proposes measures to support Albertans as the province continues to reopen.
• June 17: More protection for commercial tenants
• June 5: New relaunch supports for businesses – new grant funding, commercial eviction suspension, WCB premium deferrals

Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan

Email: cas@saskchiro.ca
Phone: 306-585-1411

Province of Saskatchewan

• December 22: Applications Open for Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate
• December 10: Legislation Introduced to Strengthen Emergency Planning Laws
• December 7: Lower Taxes For Small Businesses Will Help Economic Recovery
• December 7: Saskatchewan Introduces Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate
• December 3: Saskatchewan Small Businesses Emergency Payment Program Renewed
• December 1: Ten Per Cent Economic Recovery Rebate Now In Effect For All SaskPower Customers
• July 13: More Health Services Resume, Universal Testing Begins This Week
• June 24: Re-Open Saskatchewan: Libraries, Museums, Galleries And Theatres Can Re-Open On June 29 And Several Updates To Guidelines
• June 11: Re-Open Saskatchewan: New Guidelines For Phase 4, Updated Information For Places Of Worship And Additional Options For Graduation Ceremonies

Manitoba Chiropractors Association

Email: info@mbchiro.org
Phone: 204-942-3000

Province of Manitoba

• January 12: PROVINCE INCREASES PROTECTION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH MANITOBA BRIDGE GRANT
• January 8: PROVINCIAL PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS EXTENDED FOR TWO WEEKS WITH MINOR ADJUSTMENTS
• January 7: MANITOBA GOVERNMENT PROVIDES UPDATE ON SUPPORT PAYMENTS FOR BUSINESSES
• January 7: GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND MANITOBA PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SMALL BUSINESSES
• January 4: MANITOBA GOVERNMENT EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY TO PROTECT HEALTH AND SAFETY OF MANITOBANS
• December 8: PROVINCE EXTENDS PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAYS, WITH MINOR ADJUSTMENTS
• December 4: MANITOBA GOVERNMENT EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY TO PROTECT MANITOBANS, REDUCE SPREAD OF COVID-19
• December 3: PROVINCE TO SUPPORT MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN PROTECTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
• November 20: MANITOBA GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESSES THROUGH COVID-19
• November 19: PROVINCE TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS TO REDUCE GATHERINGS AND SOCIAL CONTACTS IN RESIDENCES AND RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS
• November 10: NEW MANITOBA BRIDGE GRANT PROVIDES $5,000 IN PROTECTION TO BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS IMPACTED BY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
• November 6: State of emergency extension supports covid-19 pandemic work
• October 26: Province proposes legislative amendments for covid-19 job-protected leave
• October 19: Manitoba government permanently amends regulations to allow electronic business submissions
• October 9: State of emergency extension supports COVID-19 pandemic work

Ontario Chiropractic Association

Email: oca@chiropractic.on.ca
Phone: 416-860-0070 or 1-877-327-2273

• COVID-19 Member Resources

College of Chiropractors of Ontario

Email: cco.info@cco.on.ca
Phone: 416-922-6355 or 1-877-577-4772

• December 30: Regulations and Statutes to Support People and Businesses
• December 21: Ontario Government News Release – Monday, December 21, 2020
• December 10: President’s Message #15 re: COVID-19 – Thursday, December 10, 2020
• October 9: Ontario Implementing Additional Public Health Measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region – Friday, October 9, 2020

Province of Ontario

• January 22: Small Businesses Apply for Ontario’s Small Business Support Grant in Growing Numbers
• January 21: Ministers to Provide an Update on the Ontario Small Business Support Grant
• January 16: Ontario Extends Reopening Ontario Act Orders
• January 12: Ontario Continues to Support Employers and Workers during COVID-19
• January 8: Ontario Continues To Support Businesses, Workers and Families during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• December 31: Regulations and Statutes to Support People and Businesses
• December 21: Ontario Building On Supports for Employers During COVID-19: New Ontario Small Business Support Grant to Provide up to $20,000 for Eligible Businesses
• December 17: Ontario Supports Employers and Employees Impacted by COVID-19
• December 8: Ontario Protecting Workers and Employers during COVID-19: Proposed legislation will ensure WSIB premiums and compensation remain stable
• December 4: Ontario Supports Businesses, Workers and Families during COVID-19
• November 20: Ontario Extends COVID-19 Orders
• November 19: Ontario Supporting Small Businesses with Financial Advice and Training: Investment to provide new online resources to help entrepreneurs during COVID-19
• November 13: Ontario Updating COVID-19 Response Framework to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19
• November 10: Protect, Support, Recover Promotes Job Creation by Reducing Taxes on Employers
• October 20: Ontario Protects Workers, Volunteers and Organizations Who Make Honest Efforts to Follow COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines and Laws
• October 20: Ontario Extends COVID-19 Orders to Protect the Public
• October 13: Ontario Helps Keep Energy Costs Low for Families, Small Businesses and Farmers
• October 9: Ontario Implementing Additional Public Health Measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region
• October 7: Ontario Supports Small Main Street Businesses with $60 Million in Funding through PPE Grant
• October 1: Ontario Delivers $2.8 Billion COVID-19 Fall Preparedness Plan
• October 1: Fall Preparedness Plan for Health, Long-Term Care and Education: Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-1

Association des chiropraticiens du Québec

Email: acq@chiropractique.com
Phone: 514-355-0557

Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec

Email: info@ordredeschiropraticiens.qc.ca
Phone: 514-355-8540 or 1-888-655-8540

• January 6: Pandémie de la COVID-19 – Le premier ministre François Legault annonce de nouvelles mesures sanitaires pour contrôler la deuxième vague, dont la mise en place d’un couvre-feu
• December 10: Guide synthèse de directives et recommandations pour la reprise complète de l’exercice de la chiropratique en contexte de pandémie (Update)
• November 13: Les chiropraticiens sont dorénavant autorisés, sous certaines réserves, à effectuer des tests de dépistage de la COVID-19
• November 13: Les chiropraticiens pourront maintenant effectuer les tests de dépistage de la COVID-19
• Sept 25: Guide synthèse de directives et recommandations pour la reprise complète de l’exercice de la chiropratique en contexte de pandémie (UPDATE)

Province of Quebec

• June 4: Quebec introduces new measures to prevent termination of commercial leases due to rent default until August 1
• June 4: New job placement service announced to support economic revival

Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors

Phone: 902-407-4255

Council of the Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors

Email: inquiries@chiropractors.ns.ca
Phone: 902-407-4255

Province of Nova Scotia

• November 30: NSCC COVID-19 Pandemic Practice Directive Revised November 30, 2020
• November 27: State of Emergency Renewed
• November 24: New Restrictions to Reduce Spread of COVID-19
• October 2: State of Emergency Renewed
• September 29: Government Extends Virtual Care Options
• September 19: No New Cases of COVID-19, State of Emergency Renewed
• September 17: Federal-Provincial Safe Restart Agreement Finalized
• September 14: Easing of Self-Isolation Requirements for Out-of-Province Rotational Workers
• August 4: Nurse Practitioner Education Incentive Expanded to Improve Primary Care Access

Nova Scotia Chiropractic Association

• September 25: Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors Board Regulation: Provisional Licensing
• September 25: New! Jurisprudence examinations date announced
• July 7: NSCC COVID-19 Pandemic Practice Directive (Revised)

Prince Edward Island Chiropractic Association

Email: whitty@bodyworkspei.ca

Province of PEI

• December 31: Regulations and Statutes to Support People and Businesses
• December 6: New public health measures announced
• November 27: Masks mandatory at all Health PEI hospitals, centres, and offices
• November 23: PEI suspends participation in Atlantic Bubble for two weeks
• November 17: Masks to become mandatory in Prince Edward Island
• October 22: More funding for Island businesses
• October 5: Island workers can now apply to work-isolate
• September 29: New funding for Island businesses to support employees working from home

New Brunswick Chiropractors Association

Email: comments@nbchiropractic.ca
Phone: 506-455-6800

• April 27: Return to Practice Recommendations
• Summary of provincial government directives affecting chiropractic

Province of New Brunswick

• November 5: Emergency order updated
• October 27: Mandatory masks in compliance with Human Rights Act
• October 8: Masks mandatory in indoor public places / exposure notification / changes to travel restrictions at Quebec border
• July 17: Safe restart agreement to address challenges of COVID-19 pandemic
• July 14: Amendments made to essential worker wage top-up program
• June 24: Revised/Atlantic provinces form travel bubble
• June 10: Amendments proposed to Emergency Measure

Newfoundland and Labrador Chiropractic Association

Phone: 709-739-7762

Province of Newfoundland and Labrador

• November 16: Update Provided on Small Business Assistance Program
• November 12: Support Helps Small Businesses Focus on Marketing Efforts
• October 29: Ministerial Statement – Newfoundland and Labrador’s Regulated Health Professional Governing Bodies Commended for Their Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• October 22: Details announced on small business assistance program
• October 1: Budget 2020 Supports Families, Businesses and Communities During Global Pandemic
• June 24: Atlantic provinces form travel bubble
• June 24: Public Advisory: Newfoundland and Labrador to Enter Alert Level 2

NFLCA

• May 26:  Newfoundland and Labrador chiropractic clinics are re-opening at level 3

About Yukon chiropractors

Email: plra@gov.yk.ca

Territory of Yukon

Northwest Territories

Update for Employers and Workers

Territory of Nunavut

Chiropractors across Canada are making individual decisions whether to keep their practice open and are staying abreast of recommendations by their provincial regulatory colleges. Individual chiropractors exercise their judgement to determine if they are able to continue to provide care; suspend non-essential care; and/or provide emergency or acute care.

Please call ahead of scheduled appointments and speak directly with clinic staff to see if appointments are continuing.

During this pandemic it is important to adhere to self-isolation if you have recently travelled anywhere outside of Canada. It is also every Canadian’s responsibility to self-identify COVID-19 symptoms as described by the Government of Canada when seeing a healthcare worker and decrease the risk of transmission to others though self-isolation.

Call to discuss your situation and seek advice. Your chiropractor may be able to recommend another clinic that is open and able to accept emergency or acute care patients.

If your chiropractor has determined it is appropriate for their clinic to close and you need emergency or acute care, you can use our Find a Chiro search function to locate another clinic in your area and contact them to see if they are able to provide the care you require.

If your province has a government toll-free health inquiries line, call them for advice.

Call ahead to ensure the clinic is open and ask what services are being provided.

Patients with compromised health may be asked to stay at home or to attend the clinic in designated low traffic times.

A practical step you can take is to wait outside or in you car for your appointment. Either have staff call you or you call them to determine when your chiropractor is ready to see you.

Chiropractors have been advised to take extra precautionary measures such as:

• Increasing the frequency of cleaning/sterilization processes of medical equipment and tools;
• Introducing sanitization protocols to all clinic touchpoints including, but not limited to, door handles, desks, display units, and payment terminals;
• Enhancing the cleaning and sanitization process for all display frames, mirrors, and sample products;
• Keep doors that are not essential for privacy open to avoid contact with hands;
• Imposing mandatory self-isolation for all chiropractors, other clinic health care providers and staff who have travelled outside of Canada;
• Offering sanitizer dispensers at key location throughout your clinics; and
• Removing all magazines, toys, etc. from waiting rooms.
• For patients with upcoming appointments who are experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or have travelled or been in contact with individuals who have travelled outside of Canada, we request that for your safety and those of others, you reschedule the appointment.

As nobody knows exactly how long this pandemic will affect Canadians, chiropractors rely on the advice of Public Health leaders in their provinces and country as well as the advice of provincial regulatory colleges.

Due to the evolving nature of this global pandemic, office closures are indefinite at this time.

No. The Government of Canada recommends that all travellers from outside Canada self-isolate for 14 days to contribute to the slowing the spread of COVID-19.

There is no credible scientific evidence that chiropractic spinal adjustment/manipulation confers or boosts immunity. Chiropractors should refrain from any communication that suggests spinal adjustment/manipulation may protect patients from contracting COVID-19 or will enhance their recovery. Doing otherwise is potentially dangerous to public health. Chiropractic regulators across Canada are monitoring for such statements and if you see any, contact your province’s chiropractic regulator to let them know.

Website: www.cmcc.ca/covid19updates 
Phone: 416-482-2340

• June 30: Student financial assistance application now available
• April 8: Ontario Workforce Matching Portal – healthcare worker/institution matching

Campus Safety Emergency Procedures

Website: www.uqtr.ca/covid19 
Email: chiropratique@uqtr.ca
Phone: 819-376-5011 poste 4483

Website: www.uws.edu/coronavirus-resources/

All classes, labs, and clinics are being conducted online. Classes and labs will remain online for the duration of the spring semester and the reopening of clinics is to be determined.

As of March 16: D.C. & AOM classes have moved to remote instruction. Access to NYCC campus/facilities is limited to employees only.

Website: www.nycc.edu/coronavirus
Phone 1-800-234-6922

• Government of Canada – Official Global Travel Advisory
• Financial help for Canadians outside Canada

Federal Government

The Canadian government announced that it would “place a six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans for all individuals currently in the process of repaying these loans.” The moratorium would last until September 30, 2020.

“Pending parliamentary approval, these measures will become effective March 30, 2020, and will include pre-authorized debits.”

• Read the announcement
• National Student Loans Service Centre