COVID-19: Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency Update as of Mar. 27

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency continues to work hard to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. As a reminder, we are still open for business and you can continue to reach us by phone (1-800-494-5651), email (apprenticeship@novascotia.ca) and through our online transactions at: https://nsapprenticeship.ca/agency/forms-publications#accordion1

Although the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency is still processing certification renewals, many of you are having some difficulty submitting your applications for renewal online. Therefore, any certification that expires on March 31, 2020, will be extended until June 30, 2020. For those of you who can submit your application online, please continue to do so through the following link: https://nsapprenticeship.ca/agency/forms-publications#accordion1.

For those of you who are impacted by the deferral of training and examinations, we are continuing to review possible solutions. You will be contacted directly once decisions on your training or examination have been made.

For apprentices who receive Canada Apprenticeship Loans, the Government of Canada recently announced its plan to pause the repayment of Canada Apprentice Loans until September 30, 2020, with no accrual of interest. Apprentices do not need to apply for the repayment pause. For more information, follow the link: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html.

To our employer partners, we continue to process START payments. The Government of Nova Scotia has also announced support for those of you who are negatively impacted by the global pandemic, which can be found here: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/#support.

If you find yourself having some extra time, consider taking our new 2-hour NSAA: Orientation Program for New Apprentices which offers an introduction to essential information about the apprenticeship system in Nova Scotia.

COVID-19: Correction – FAQs for Construction Updated – New Contact for Provincial Border Checks

CANS “COVID-19 FAQs for Construction” was updated on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, per a correction issued by the province. See below for the specific section in question as well as a link to the newly updated document.

Q: Which government department is administering provincial border checks and who is the contact person for further questions as they arise?
The border checks process is a multi-department effort.  The contact if further questions arise is 902-424-0285, and email is environmental.health@novascotia.ca

Click here to access the updated ‘COVID-19 FAQs for Construction’ document. 

COVID-19: NRC Seeking Partners for New COVID-19 Research Programs

The National Research Council (NRC) is working with partners as part of the collective effort to help find solutions to the COVID-19 with the following two, new programs:

NRC COVID-19 Challenge Program

The NRC’s new COVID-19 Challenge Program will bring together a national network of researchers and scientific facilities to address pressing needs and challenges. The COVID-19 Challenge Program, composed of teams of government, academic, and private-sector partners will address a range of medium-term Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada needs, including:

  • personal protective equipment
  • sanitization
  • diagnostics and testing
  •  therapeutics
  • disease-tracking technology

If your company would like to be involved, please click here.

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program:

NRC IRAP has been tasked by the Government of Canada to work with Canadian industry to address a range of medium‑term Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada needs, including:

  • Personal protective equipment
  • Sanitization
  • Diagnostic and testing
  • Therapeutics
  • Disease tracking technology

If your company is involved in developing or producing any of the products or technologies listed above, and you would like to be involved, please click here.

Click here to visit the NRC website for more information about both programs. 

COVID-19: New web portal for Nova Scotia Tender Notices

Are you a business that can supply products and services in support of Nova Scotia’s response to COVID-19? If so, the Province wants to hear from you. A procurement portal has been developed and includes a list of products and services the government is looking for.

For more Nova Scotia Tender information, visit: https://procurement.novascotia.ca/ns-tenders.aspx

COVID-19: Is My business Allowed to Be Open? NS Gov Launches Online Assessment Tool

The province has created an online tool to help businesses and non-profits clarify if they may remain open and how they can comply with public health orders and workplace safety requirements.

Figure out your best course of action for compliance, access the COVID-19 Employer Assessment Tool here.  

On Monday, March 30, 2020, the government also announced that all public schools and licensed child-care providers will remain closed until at least May 1, 2020. Click here to read Monday’s full release from the Province.

COVID-19: UPDATED – Guidelines for COVID-related Commercial Rent Deferral Program

UPDATE: Please note that the direction temporarily banning evictions provided by the minister (linked below) relates to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic only. Those businesses capable of making rent MUST pay per their rental agreement.

Commercial Rent Deferral Program Highlights:

  • NO employee minimum to be eligible (newly updated!)
  • Rental deferral agreements must be in place by April 1 and you must register your intent with the Department of Business by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, by emailing NSRentDeferral@novascotia.ca.

Those looking to defer rent can click here to read the full guidelines related to the COVID-19 Rent Deferral Support Program.

On March 27, 20202, the Minister of Municipal Affairs released direction, concerning the protection of property and a province-wide ban on evictions.

Effective as of 6:00 am on March 31, 2020, all retail and other commercial landlords are prohibited from exercising the remedies of notice to quit or distress available under a commercial lease, commercial agreement, the Tenancy and Distress for Rent Act, or otherwise for rent due on or after March 22, 2020, from a retail or commercial tenant who has been required to close their business or their business has been substantially and directly restricted under the requirements of a Medical Officer’s order issued under the Health Protection Act

Read the full direction issued under the Emergency Management Act here.

COVID-19: Build Right Nova Scotia Resources

Guide To Reduce Transmission of COVID-19 and Ensure a Clean Construction Job Site

The Mainland Building Trades, Cape Breton Building Trades along with the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association have been working together on steps to take to ensure a clean worksite and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. 

Click here for guidance to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and ensure a clean construction job site. 

 Preventive Measures Site Access Questionnaire

In an effort to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, the following questionnaire is to be completed at work site reception by all employees as well as employees of any subcontractor engaged in activity on this site. 

Click here to access the Preventive Measures Site Access Questionnaire.

Washroom & Lunchroom Clean-up Log

Click here to access the washroom clean-up log.

Click here to access the lunchroom clean-up log.

Excerpts from the Nova Scotia Occupational Safety General Regulations related to Respiratory Hazard, Toilets and Hand-Cleaning Facilities 

Click here to read excerpts from the Nova Scotia Occupational Safety General Regulations (made under Section 82 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act) related to respiratory hazard, toilets and hand-cleaning facilities.

COVID-19: Summary of Provincial Announcements

For full details relating to each announcement, refer to www.novascotia.ca/news

April 2

  • State of Emergency is extended to April 19, 2020 
  • COVID-19 Worker Emergency Bridge – $20 million
  • Small Business COVID-19 Impact Grant – $19 million
  • Map and graphs of COVID-19 test results is now online here

March 30           

  • Schools closed until May 1. Online and paper-based learning strategies are being developed to support student learning.
  • Employer Assessment tool to help businesses and non-profits clarify if they can remain open and how to comply with public health orders and workplace safety requirements added online

March 27      

  • Support for landlords who enter into a rent deferral agreement with their commercial tenants
  • Restaurants can now include alcohol in their take-out and delivery sales
  • Government has purchased 800 ipads for use in long term care facilities

March 26           

  • COVID testing is being expanded to include:
    • Anyone referred by 811 to an assessment centre
    • All close contacts of people who test positive
    • People in hospital that meet the criteria for testing
  • Reservations for 2020 camping season are on hold until further notice
  • Open fires for any purpose in woods or within 305 metres of woods in any part of the province are banned until May 15

March 24            

  • Measures to strengthen the health system, help Nova Scotians dealing with COVID-19
  • Access Centres and Registry of Motor Vehicle Offices to resume operations in a scaled back, limited contact business model.
  • Regulated health professions can stay open for emergency or urgent care or to provide virtual care as long as they meet social distancing requirements
  • Non-regulated health professions must close (with exception of podiatrists)

March 22             State of Emergency declared

March 21            

  • Dentists can no longer practice dentistry in their offices unless deemed necessary to perform an emergency dental procedure

March 18            

  • Announcement re: Personal Services and fitness establishments
    • Includes: hair salons, barbershops, spas, nail salons, body art establishments, gyms

March 17            

  • No public gatherings of more than 50 people
  • Announcements re: restaurants
    • Only take-out and delivery permitted
    • Drinking establishments, winery and distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms closed
    • Private liquor stores permitted to be open, and craft breweries, wineries and distilleries can still sell storefront
  • Access Nova Scotia closed

March 15           

  • Long-term care closed effective immediately
  • Public schools and regulated childcare closed
  • Social distancing – 2 meters/6 feet, gatherings of less than 150 or much smaller if possible

COVID-19: Bank of Canada Updates Monetary Policy in Unscheduled Announcement

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the Bank of Canada issued an unscheduled announcement, updating monetary policy and revealing new initiatives to defend Canadian households. Those announcements include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Lowering the overnight target rate by 0.5 per centage points to 0.25 per cent;
  • A quantitative easing program with the purchase of a minimum of $5 billion per week of Government of Canada securities in the secondary market;
  • A Commercial Paper Purchase Program (CPPP) will help to alleviate strains in short-term funding markets used by businesses (more details forthcoming)

The Bank of Canada’s next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is April 15, 2020.

Read the full releases from the Bank of Canada: Rate announcementPress conference opening statement.

COVID-19: Minister Announces Temporary Ban on Commercial Evictions

On March 27, 20202, the Minister of Municipal Affairs released direction, concerning the protection of property and a province-wide ban on evictions.

Effective as of 6:00 am on March 31, 2020, all retail and other commercial landlords are prohibited from exercising the remedies of notice to quit or distress available under a commercial lease, commercial agreement, the Tenancy and Distress for Rent Act, or otherwise for rent due on or after March 22, 2020, from a retail or commercial tenant who has been required to close their business or their business has been substantially and directly restricted under the requirements of a Medical Officer’s order issued under the Health Protection Act

Read the full direction issued under the Emergency Management Act here.