COVID-19 has undoubtedly been a challenge for employers to navigate. From lockdowns, to reopening, to government support, keeping on top of the latest rules and regulations has been difficult. On this page we have gathered the most important COVID-19 rules for employers. We will update it regularly as circumstances change.
COVID-19 Leaves
During the height of the pandemic, Canadian workers relied on the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit to assist them during their convalescence. That leave is due to expire at the end of October, and will be replaced by preexisting the EI Sickness Benefit.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
*Extended to October 23, 2021
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) provides a payment of $500 (before taxes withheld) for each 1-week period you apply for. After the CRA withholds 10% tax at source, the actual payment you get is $450 per 1-week period.
Your payment amount will be the same for each period you’ve applied for, even if you worked for part of the week. To be eligible, you must have missed more than 50% of your work week.
Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits can provide you with up to 15 weeks of financial assistance if you cannot work for medical reasons. You could receive 55% of your earnings up to a maximum of $595 a week.
You must get a medical certificate to show that you’re unable to work for medical reasons. Medical reasons include illness, injury, quarantine, or any medical condition that prevents you from working.
COVID-19 Sick Pay Policies
Every province has taken a different approach to COVID-19 sick day and sick pay policies. Sick day reimbursements represent government subsidies which employers can apply for. Learn more about non-pandemic leaves and time-off here.
| Sick Days | Covid Sick Days | Reimbursed | Vaccination Leave | |
| Alberta | 5 days unpaid/year | 14 days unpaid | 3 hours paid/dose | |
| BC | 3 days unpaid/year | 3 days paid | $200/ day per worker | 3 hours paid/dose |
| Manitoba | 5 days paid | $600/ day per worker | 3 hours paid/dose | |
| New Brunswick | 5 days unpaid/year | |||
| Newfoudland and Labrador | ||||
| Nova Scotia | 4 days paid | $160 per day per worker | ||
| Nunavut | ||||
| Ontario | 3 days unpaid/year | 3 days paid | $200/day per worker | |
| PEI | 1 day paid/year | 3 days paid | $160/day per worker | |
| Quebec | ||||
| Yukon Territory | 10 days paid | $378.13 /day per worker | ||
| Saskatchewan | 3 hours paid/dose | |||
| Northwest Territories |
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations
COVID-19 testing and vaccination procedures and eligibility differ by province. Need to share testing or vaccination information with employees? We’ve listed the provincial and territorial information here.
Vaccine Mandates
The Canadian federal government has issued a vaccination mandate for workers and travellers under their purview. All individuals have until October 30th, 2021 to complete two doses of a recognized vaccine.
Federal contractors have until October 29th, 2021 to report their vaccine status. Federal employees will not have to provide proof of vaccination; however, they will have to sign an attestation. Providing false information may result in disciplinary action including termination.
- Federal public servants must attest to being vaccinated
- Federal contractors must attest to being vaccinated
- RCMP officers and support staff must attest to being vaccinated
- All plane, train and boat passengers must provide proof of being vaccinated
A national travel vaccine passport is currently in the works. At this time, provincial vaccine passports or receipts are considered sufficient proof of vaccination.
Provincial and territorial governments have introduced a range of vaccine mandates for public sector workers. Private employers have made varying decisions about vaccine mandates for their employees’ return to work. Employers may legally ask to see proof of vaccination.
| Policy | |
| Alberta | Public servants and politicians must provide proof of vaccination or negative tests. All public healthcare workers must provide proof of vaccination. |
| BC | All public healthcare workers, BC Hydro and most public servants must provide proof of vaccination. |
| Manitoba | Provincial employees who work with vulnerable people. |
| New Brunswick | Public servants and healthcare workers must provide proof of vaccination. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Healthcare workers, teachers, childcare workers and civil servants must provide proof of vaccination. |
| Nova Scotia | Healthcare workers, teachers, childcare workers and civil servants must provide proof of vaccination. |
| Nunavut | No mandate. |
| Ontario | Civil servants must provide proof of vaccination. |
| PEI | No mandate. |
| Quebec | Public servants and healthcare workers must provide proof of vaccination. |
| Yukon Territory | No mandate. |
| Saskatchewan | Public servants and healthcare workers must provide proof of vaccination. |
| Northwest Territories | No mandate. |
Travel and Quarantine Rules
All plane, train and boat passengers travelling within Canada, and all foreign nationals travelling to Canada, must provide proof of being vaccinated. Unvaccinated Canadians and foreign nationals can enter Canada provided they test negative for Covid-19, quarantine for 14 days, testing negative again at the end of their quarantine. You must provide a quarantine plan upon entry.
It is recommended that frequent travellers be fully vaccinated.
Mask Mandates
Most Canadian provinces and territories have an ongoing mask mandate for public, indoor spaces including retail businesses, movie theatres and event spaces, and workplaces where staff cannot always socially distance. Masks are not required while eating or drinking.
We have included links to each province’s detailed exceptions list.
| Policy | Exceptions | |
| Alberta | All indoor public places, grade 4 and up. | https://www.alberta.ca/masks.aspx |
| BC | All indoor public spaces age 9 and older. | http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/masks |
| Manitoba | No mandate. | https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/fundamentals/masks.html |
| New Brunswick | All indoor public places. | https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/masks.html |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | All indoor public places age 5 and older. | https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/public-health-guidance/guidance/masks/ |
| Nova Scotia | All indoor public places age 4 and up. | https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/masks/ |
| Nunavut | All indoor public places. | https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus |
| Ontario | All indoor public places age 3 and up. | https://www.ontario.ca/page/face-coverings-and-face-masks |
| PEI | All indoor public places age 3 and up. | https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/wearing-non-medical-masks-in-the-community |
| Quebec | All indoor public places age 10 and up. | https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/mask-or-face-covering/wearing-a-face-covering-in-public-settings-covid-19 |
| Yukon Territory | No mandate. | https://yukon.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19-information/your-health-covid-19/wearing-non-medical-masks-yukon |
| Saskatchewan | All indoor public places age 4 and up. | https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2021/september/16/province-implements-interim-mandatory-masking-effective-september-17-proof-of-vaccination-requiremen |
| Northwest Territories | All indoor public places age 3 and up. | https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/services/healthy-habits/masks |
Vaccine Passport/Proof Mandates
Most provinces and territories have introduced or will be introducing a vaccine passport/proof system in which residents can produce a QR code on their phones in order to access nonessential services.
| Policy | |
| Alberta | Restaurants, nightclubs, casinos, concerts and fitness facilities. |
| BC | Restaurants, movie theatres, nightclubs, casinos, concerts and fitness facilities and sporting events, long term care facilities. |
| Manitoba | Restaurants, movie theatres, nightclubs, casinos, concerts and fitness facilities and sporting events. |
| New Brunswick | Restaurants, movie theatres, nightclubs, casinos, concerts and fitness facilities and sporting events, long term care facilities. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | All nonessential businesses and indoor gatherings. |
| Nova Scotia | All nonessential businesses and indoor gatherings. |
| Nunavut | No mandate. |
| Ontario | Restaurants, movie theatres, nightclubs, casinos, concerts and fitness facilities and sporting events. Places of worship excepted. |
| PEI | Restaurants, movie theatres, nightclubs, casinos, concerts and fitness facilities and sporting events. Places of worship and museums excepted. |
| Quebec | Restaurants, movie theatres, nightclubs, casinos, concerts and fitness facilities, sporting events, and outdoor gatherings such as concerts. |
| Yukon Territory | No mandate but a passport is available. |
| Saskatchewan | Restaurants, movie theatres, nightclubs, casinos, concerts and fitness facilities and sporting events. |
| Northwest Territories | No mandate. |
