COVID-19

Legal Framework Amid Covid-19 Fears, Part 2

May 26, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff

As we enter phase 2 of the British Columbia government’s announced “restart plan,” to gradually re-open businesses and ease restrictions, it is interesting to think about what legal authority is being used to make temporary emergency based legal changes amid...

Legal Framework Amid Covid-19 Fears

May 17, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff

What legal framework governs B.C.’s response to covid-19? The Emergency Program Act (EPA), passed in 1993, is the principal legislation for responding to disasters and emergencies in British Columbia. If the Minster of Public Safety, or the entire cabinet, is satisfied...

Changes to BC Employment Standards & Federal Emergency Wage Subsidy

May 7, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: "Canadian Bills/Coins" by anitakhart is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

We previously wrote about temporary changes to BC’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) which allow employees to take temporary leaves of absence due to covid-19. A leave of absence is different from a layoff. Effective May 4, 2020, amendments to BC’s Employment...

Is there a Duty to Disclose Covid-19?

April 30, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: "Coronavirus Research" by danielfoster437 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

In March, 2020, concerns began to mount over covid-19. We heard that certain group gatherings resulted in outbreaks of the virus. Some of these events involved health care professionals. An Alberta outbreak was traced to an Edmonton curling bonspiel. More than...

Covid-19 Related Changes to Employment Standards Act, B.C.

April 15, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: "Corona Virus" by danielfoster437 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

British Columbia’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) has been amended in response to concerns regarding covid-19. The amendments are now in effect. They include two new job protected unpaid leaves of absence: a covid-19 related leave; and an unpaid illness or injury leave. BC’s...

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied

March 28, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: "response" is licensed under CC0 1.0

Liquor and cannabis stores remain open. The list of essential services seems to be about a mile long. Amid all the concern about coronavirus, covid-19, even dollar stores are open. Lawyers are considered an “essential service.” By definition, this includes the judiciary. Why,...

Interview with The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., C.C., CStJ, FCIArb

March 26, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin’

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to interview The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin. Growing up in Pincher Creek, Alberta prepared her well for playing an integral role in our justice system. Here is a little bit about...

8 Basic Employment Law Concepts During Times of Mass Hysteria

March 18, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff

Some readers might remember the SARS outbreak of 2002. They may remember H1-N1 and various other outbreaks over the years. During the Spanish flu of 1918, all events in Kelowna with more than 10 people were cancelled. Now it is COVID-19,...