RRHBA COVID-19 Resource Page

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we have set up this page to ensure you have quick access to the necessary updates and information, to help you and your businesses navigate this tumultuous time. We encourage you to check back frequently for updates.

Wednesday April 1, 2020

Today, Premier Justin Trudeau announced that applications for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will open next week. The CERB offers $2,000 monthly payments to Canadians who find themselves out of work or with reduced hours because of the pandemic. Starting on April 6th, if you haven’t requested Employment Insurance (EI), you will be able to apply for the CERB. The CERB also cannot be combined with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau provided updates today on the federal government’s 75 per cent Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. This program is for employers that have seen a 30 per cent or more decline in revenue (compared to the same month last year). Employers must reapply each month. They must also attest that they are doing everything they can to pay the other 25 per cent of employee wages. A new portal will be opening up on Canada Revenue Agency’s website in the coming weeks for applications for the subsidy program. Funds are expected to be available within six weeks.
Today the SCSA hosted a Virtual Town Hall Webinar in partnership with the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association and the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association. We heard answers to some common questions builders may have at this time such as:
- Can OH&S shut down my site if my workers are not social distancing?
- How many workers are allowed on a worksite?
- What are the requirements around washroom facilities on site?
Click here to view the full list of Q & A from this webinar.
Baker Tilly has put together a comprehensive “Federal Relief Measures Guide” click here for a detailed list of government and other support programs available to Canadians during this challenging time.
Due to the shortage of hand sanitizer and cleaning products available for our industry, Merit Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) have found the following alternative suppliers to help out during this difficult time: Smooth 42 Distillery is producing hand sanitizer that they can ship in various sizes and quantities. Please submit your orders through email to orders@smooth42.ca. Include in the email your contact information including your physical address and what you are wanting to order. EECOL Electric has a bulk supply of hand sanitizer and cleaning solution they are willing to sell in smaller amounts (Note: Due to a large volume of inquiries, any orders received are going to be a 10-12 day turn around, please contact your local EECOL branch to place orders).
McKercher LLP has been researching and compiling information relating to COVID-19 and its impact on Saskatchewan residents, businesses, and organizations. They have created a dedicated webpage to all things COVID-19 that they are updating almost daily to keep clients, contacts and community informed. To access their webpage, click here.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

The Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT) recognizes that these are unprecedented and difficult times for Saskatchewan employers and industries who are facing issues and the impacts of COVID-19. Therefore, the Employer Services Branch within the ministry of ICT is reaching out to offer support through their concierge services for employers. This is a customizable suite of services that can assist with navigation and selection of Government of Saskatchewan and Government of Canada programs and services to help your business. For more information on this service, click here.
Another great resource is the recently launched Business Response Team within the Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development. This team has been set up to support businesses and workers dealing with the economic challenges resulting from COVID-19 and contains valuable information about the available federal and provincial programming. Please review their website here.
Baker Tilly has put together a comprehensive “Federal Relief Measures Guide” Click here for a detailed list of government and other support programs available to Canadians during this challenging time.

Monday, March 30, 2020

Today, the Government of Canada provided additional details on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The recently-announced 75 per cent wage subsidy for COVID-19 affected businesses has been expanded to all Canadian companies and charities that have seen at least a 30-per-cent drop in revenues. The number of employees does not impact eligibility, and non-profit organizations and charities are included, as well as businesses of all sizes. The federal government will cover up to 75 per cent of salary on the first $58,700 and will backdate to March 15, 2020. That totals up to $847 per week. To view additional Supports for Canadian Businesses provided by the Government of Canada click here.
Canada’s prime rate will now fall to 2.45% following the Bank of Canada’s emergency rate cut on Friday. RBC led the way by confirming it would match the Bank of Canada’s 50-bps rate cut by dropping its prime rate to 2.45%. Scotiabank, TD, BMO and CIBC then followed in quick succession, announcing that the rate changes would come into effect today (Monday, March 30, 2020). These changes will affect all existing floating mortgage rates, as well as lines of credit and home equity lines of credit. For more information click here.

Friday, March 27, 2020

The Government of Canada has announced several additional investments to support Canadian businesses from the economic impacts of COVID-19. These measures are a part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which provides direct support and tax deferrals to Canadian workers and businesses to help them in these difficult times. View the Government of Canada’s Summary of Supports for Canadian Businesses here.
Trudeau Announces Hike in Wage Subsidy for Small-and-Medium-Sized Businesses: Today, the Prime Minister announced that the 10 per cent wage subsidy introduced last week would be increasing up to 75 per cent for qualifying businesses. This is meant to help ensure people will continue to be paid even though their employers have to slow down or stop their businesses. The new wage subsidy will be backdated to March 15. Read the press release here.
As of Monday, March 30 2020, the Association will be closing its office for the foreseeable future. All of our RRHBA staff will continue to serve you while working from home. With that being said, in order to continue to collect “N95” masks for the SHA, we ask that you contact us directly to make arrangements for the pick up or drop off of donations. Thank you to those who have already dropped off surplus masks. Your donations are greatly appreciated and may help save lives!
New Rules Surrounding Execution of Documents via Electronic Means: Together with the SRHBA, on Monday March 23, we reached out to the Saskatchewan Minister of Justice, Don Morgan, to request that the Ministry of Justice enact the necessary legislative changes to allow for the virtual witnessing of documents. We stated that in order to meet document signing requirements on things like mortgages, affidavits, ISC documents etc., the virtual signing of documents is not a matter of convenience but rather a matter of public health and safety at a time where this should be of the utmost importance. To read our full letter to Minister Morgan, click here.
As a result of collective advocacy efforts with the SRHBA, we are happy to announce that our recommendations were received. On March 26, 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan enacted emergency regulations to enable lawyers, during public emergency periods (like the one currently in effect in Saskatchewan), to execute and witness certain documents via electronic means (i.e. a video conference on platforms like Skype or Facetime). To view the full release from the Law Society of Saskatchewan on this matter, click here.
CMHC has expanded the Insured Mortgage Purchase Program (IMPP) to $150B of insured mortgage pools from the $50B announced earlier to further support the Canadian Economy. For more information on the IMPP click here. CMHC’s previous announcement that big banks would be offering mortgage deferrals was met with complaints from frustrated Canadians looking to defer mortgage payments but instead they found themselves facing delays, confusion and outright denials from big banks. In a clarifying statement, CMHC reiterated that they want to help those who need it during the COVID-19 crisis, but not everyone qualifies. They are encouraging people to reach out to their banks or get in touch with their mortgage brokers to discuss their situation. For more information on how mortgage payment deferrals work click here.
Today, the Bank of Canada lowered its policy rate by another half a percentage point to 0.25 percent, adding in a statement that the unscheduled rate decision brings the rate down to its effective lower bound. The Bank of Canada also announced plans for a new commercial paper purchase program as well as a minimum of $5 billion a week in government securities.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Yesterday, the Government of Saskatchewan made an announcement that they will be further limiting the size of public and private gatherings to a maximum of ten people. With this also came clarification for businesses as to what will be considered “Allowable Services” (a.k.a Essential Services) at this time. A list of critical public services and allowable business services has been created to inform the business community of which businesses can continue to operate in accordance with social distancing practices. All changes are effective as of March 26, 2020.
To read the full News Release from the Government of Saskatchewan click here.
To view the full list of “allowable businesses” (which includes construction) click here.
The Government has stated that it will be evaluating this list daily and we should expect it to expand or contract.
Important Safety Protocol Reminder: We have developed a Safety Protocol Manual to provide guidance on how to ensure a safe working environment on construction sites. It is very important to follow these safety protocols, as continued on-site work will NOT be “business as usual”. We must recognize that these are truly unprecedented times and the Residential Construction Industry needs to do our part to support the health and safety of the greater community. If there is any indication that COVID-19 is being spread throughout the construction industry, the Government will not hesitate to remove construction from the list of allowable services, essential or not. Please also make sure individuals with any symptoms and/or those who have come into contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 are self-isolating at home as required by the Government of Saskatchewan.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

As you may be aware, the Provincial Government is working on implementing additional regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and this involves defining what will be considered as “essential services” throughout this crisis. At stake for the residential construction industry is the ability to keep work sites open. In partnership with the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association, we have communicated to Premier Scott Moe the importance of considering residential construction an “essential service” throughout the COVID-19 crisis. To read our letter to the Premier, click here. We have also been in communications with the Minister of Justice on Virtual Witnessing of Documents, all in an effort to keep our work sites open and our industry moving forward.
We have developed a Safety Protocol Manual to provide some guidance on how to ensure a safe working environment on construction sites. We believe the provisions included in our safety protocol will align with the anticipated Provincial Government Essential Services Requirements under its COVID-19 State of Emergency announcement.
On March 23, 2020, the Provincial Government announced further details on a new tool to help local businesses deal with the economic hardship caused by COVID-19. A new Business Response Team will work with businesses to identify program supports available to them both provincially and federally. For more information on this program click here.
As of March 19, 2020, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, the City of Regina has closed City Hall to the public. Building Permit applications and completed submission packages must now be submitted by email to permits@regina.ca. Specific information on how to do this can be found on Regina.ca/build. Service levels remain the same unless communicated otherwise. Currently the City is either approving completed residential applications or responding to customers with comments in 10 days, commercial applications in 20 days, and re-reviews in 5 days. Please also note the following Inspection Changes: Building permit inspections will no longer be conducted in person. City inspectors will use live video-conferencing tools to conduct inspections remotely. These tools include technologies such as FaceTime, Skype or photos where appropriate. Contact regarding scheduled inspections remains the same – please call 306-777-7000.

Monday, March 23, 2020

The Government of Saskatchewan has updated the public health order to further reduce the risk of potential COVID-19 transmission in the province. New measures are now in effect, read the full news release.
On Friday March 20, 2020 the Government of Saskatchewan announced a Financial Support Plan for Saskatchewan employers and employees hit by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Financial Support Plan includes a number of mechanisms for reducing costs for businesses and individuals providing support to self-employed individuals not covered by new federal support measures, and establishes a Business Response Team designated to support Saskatchewan businesses during this time of uncertainty. For more details on the Financial Support Plan, click here.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is in urgent need of “N95” masks in order to assist with the treatment of COVID-19 patients. There is currently a shortage of supplies and this is our industry’s opportunity to once again step-up and help Saskatchewan residents. We are requesting that if you have an ample supply of “N95” masks that you consider donating any amount of your surplus. If you’re able, this small gesture could be lifesaving! Please contact us if you have masks to donate.

Friday, March 20, 2020

Supports for Businesses, provided by the federal government. We will do our best to keep you updated on the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan should any new information be made available. This $82 billion support program represents more than 3 per cent of Canada’s GDP and includes plans to spend up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses, plus $55 billion to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals to help stabilize the economy. On Friday March 20, 2020, CMHC released additional details on the Insured Mortgage Purchase Program (IMPP). Click here to read a summary of updates from the Bank of Canada and CMHC in response to COVID-19.
CHBA’s Best Practices for Business Owners to consider during the current pandemic as well as any future event.
Updates from both the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) to provide some guidance for employers to use when conducting a safety meeting, or when discussing the COVID-19 virus with their workers on a construction site. The Saskatchewan Construction Association (SCA) has also set up a COVID-19 resources page to provide information for business such as legal advice, risk assessment tools, as well as finance and management practices to consider. The Regina Construction Association (RCA) has also put together a Pandemic Package with useful information for local builders.
The COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool, provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, to help determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to.

Our staff at the RRHBA will continue to closely monitor the situation. We will be working together with our counterparts at the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association to compile information at the provincial level and at the national level we will continue to update you as information becomes available through the CHBA national office.