Corporations under the following acts can continue holding virtual meetings until September 30, 2022:

• Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 
• Business Corporations Act
• Co-operative Corporations Act
• Condominium Act, 1998
• Corporations Act

By September 30, 2022, the “temporary” provision will have been in place for more than 2 ½ years.

Ontario first allowed virtual meetings on March 31, 2020 through an emergency order. It was retroactive to March 17, 2020. Extensions were issued on April 24, 2020 by Order-in-Council (to 90 days after the emergency declaration expired), October 1, 2020 by regulation (to May 31, 2021), April 6, 2021 by regulation (to December 31, 2021), and most recently on October 1, 2021 by regulation (to September 30, 2022).

The extension is meant to give corporations flexibility to host meetings under restrictions so that corporations can meet their obligations during the ongoing pandemic.

Earlier in 2021 the government held consultations on whether the temporary measures should be extended or permanent amendments should be made. It has not yet made permanent changes. While the government explores making these permanent changes to better reflect the digital age, it continues to extend temporary measures in alignment with the extension of COVID-19 related restrictions, including physical distancing.

If you have questions about the extension of the effective period of the temporary legislative provisions related to virtual meetings you can contact the government directly at OnCondo@ontario.ca and BusinessLawPolicy@ontario.ca.

For more from Ontario, visit COVID-19 changes to meetings and business operations.

The post Ontario Again Extends Temporary Provisions for Corporate Meetings appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

Saskatchewan joins Alberta in lifting public health orders, with BC very close behind. As of July 1 and its Step 3, BC has no capacity limits on indoor or outdoor religious gatherings, no provincial masking order, and no restrictions on personal gatherings. As of August 2, New Brunswick will move to Phase 3 and lift all of its restrictions as well.

Meanwhile, Ontario will move into its Step 3 of its 3-step plan on July 16, five days ahead of schedule. Step 3 revises, but does not remove, public health orders and restrictions.

There are some important, significant, and welcome changes in Step 3:

• Indoor and outdoor religious gatherings are limited only by physical distancing constraints – this is great news for churches!!
• Indoor social gatherings have increased to 25; outdoor to 100.
• Day camps and overnight camps can operate if they follow the safety guidelines produced by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Step 3 is a step forward, but it is not the end for Ontario. New thresholds have been set: Step 3 rules remain in place until 21 days have passed, 80% of eligible Ontarians 12+ have received one dose, 75% are fully vaccinated, and other key public health and health care indicators remain stable. Upon meeting these new thresholds, “the vast majority” of public health measures will be lifted, except that “face coverings will also continue to be required for indoor public settings” on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Ontario’s plan remains a “three step” plan, but it’s not clear what to call the “post-Step 3” period, or when the remaining restrictions will actually be lifted.

The new rules have been incorporated into Ontario Regulation 364/20 which has the full list of provincial regulations for Step 3. You can read a partial summary of the new rules in Ontario’s July 9 press release.

What are the other provincial opening plans? See this summary chart. It has links to plans, thresholds, dates and a summary of key changes for camps, churches and personal gatherings.

The post Saskatchewan Removes All Public Health Orders, Ontario Revises appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

In the webinar announcement, CRA explained that while both the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and CHRP support payroll obligations, they are designed for different purposes:

• CHRP is designed to encourage charities and non-profits to (re)hire and grow as the economy recovers
• CEWS was designed to help employers keep employees on their payroll during the pandemic

CRA also noted that from Jun 6, 2021 to September 25, 2021 the subsidies overlap. As CEWS rates decline, CHRP is available if eligible employers hire more workers or increase hours or wages. Eligible employers can apply for either of the two subsidies, based on whichever will give the most support.

Eligible employers will be able to apply for the CHRP as of July 7, 2021 when CRA will open applications through My Business Account. CHRP payments will begin to issue during the week of July 12, 2021.

If you want to attend, note that space is limited, so you’ll want to register soon.

The post CRA Hosting Q&A on Canada Recovery Hiring Program appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

What changes are there for churches?

Churches can still meet at 15% of fire code capacity.

There is a lengthy guidance document for places of worship that outlines recommendations for everything from shoe removal, to prohibiting embracing ceremonial objects, to lining garbage receptacles used for water cups, to having congregants bring their own communion items.

In-home faith group meetings are prohibited, as are all indoor social gatherings.

There is an exception for faith leaders visiting a person at the end of their life (4-6 weeks, as determined by a primary health care provider), so long as no more than three visitors are there at the same time (see Part 2, section 4(k) of the CMOH Order).

What about good works, weddings and funerals?

Social services can remain open for in-person services. That includes shelters and soup kitchens (faith-based or otherwise).

Like the exception for in-home visits from faith leaders, there are similar exemptions for educational instruction (d), to provide counselling services (j), to deliver items (f), provide social services (h) and others.

Weddings are limited to 10 people, which includes the officiant, bride and groom and witnesses. Funerals are allowed with up to 20 people, but this does not include funeral service or facility staff, funeral clergy and event organizers who are not considered invited guests. The rules apply to any facility, whether indoors or outdoors, whether seated or standing.

Wedding and funeral receptions are prohibited.

The 4-Step Plan

The 4-Step Path Forward indicates that Step 1 applies where there are less than 600 hospitalizations and declining cases, Step 2 where there are less than 450 hospitalizations and declining cases, Step 3 at less than 300 and declining cases, and Step 4 at less than 150 and declining cases, with a minimum three weeks between each stage. According to the Alberta stats page, as at April 9, there are currently 340 hospitalizations in the province, 83 of which are ICU admissions, and the average age of COVID-19 related deaths is 81.

The recent return to Step 1 has created a divide within the United Conservative Party. Seventeen MLAs have signed a public statement expressing concerns about the decision to impose further restrictions. The letter supports the government’s previously announced path forward to reopening, which took the health threat seriously and provided a transparent, step-by-step plan. But the MLAs see the move back to Step 1 as “effectively abandoning the plan that Albertans had worked diligently over the past months to follow.”

This controversy highlights what seems to be a growing sense of frustration, not just in Alberta, but across the country (see John Pellowe’s blog post Challenging Authorities: Using Reason to Persuade for an example of one BC church’s plea).

Whether you’re feeling perfectly content or feeling discouraged, all of our members are invited to join discussions in The Green where we can learn from and be encouraged by one another!

The post Alberta Back to Step 1 + Restrictions appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

The SAH order allows Ontarians to leave their homes for listed purposes only.

One of those is to attend a gathering for the purposes of a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony that is permitted by law. It also includes making necessary arrangements for the purposes of such a gathering (section 24).

What is permitted by law? The government’s info page about zones and restrictions and its info page about enhanced measures both indicate that religious gatherings, weddings and funeral services will remain at 15% capacity indoors or unlimited capacity outdoors, subject to physical distancing rules. This is the same as the current religious gathering rules in the “shutdown zone” regulation (O.Reg 82/20). While the government website has been updated, the actual regulation has not – the last update was April 3, 2021.

Going back to the SAH order, let’s look at why else are people allowed to leave their homes:

• Work & Volunteering – “where the nature of the work or volunteering requires” it, including when an employer has determined the nature of the work requires attendance at the workplace (section 1); remember that the default according to the regulation is to work from home (schedule 1, s 2.1)
• School & childcare (sections 2-4)
• Obtaining goods and services (sections 5-11)
• Assisting others – “delivering goods or providing care or support or assistance to an individual who requires support or assistance, or receiving support or assistance” (sections 12-14)
• Health, safety & legal purposes (sections 15-18) – including exercising and using outdoor recreational facilities that are allowed to open
• Moving residences or between multiple residences or travel (sections 19-23)
• Gatherings – individuals living alone can gather with members of a single household (section 25)
• Animal care and services (sections 26-29)

The SAH order does not apply to homeless persons. The SAH order also clarifies that it does not prevent individuals from accessing their backyards or common areas of communal residences that are open, including lobbies.

Like the rules for religious gatherings, the government information site lists the enhanced public health and workplace safety measures for other permitted activities, but the relevant parts of the “shutdown zone” regulation have yet to be updated accordingly.

The SAH order has been issued because “the COVID-19 situation is at a critical stage and we must act quickly and decisively to stay ahead of these deadly new variants.”  The latest data about variants of concern (“VOC”) can be found in the Ontario Ministry of Health Daily Summary (pages 14-16). Declarations of emergency are issued under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act; they are to be terminated after two weeks unless the Lieutenant Governor in Council extends it or declares it to be over. Given that the SAH order is to be in place for 4 weeks, the declaration of emergency will be extended.

Members looking to chat with other church and ministry leaders about challenges and opportunities during times of shutdown, emergency declarations, and SAH orders, can join our online discussions in The Green!

The post From Shutdown to Shut-In: Ontario Issues Stay-At-Home Order appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

This is for all regions. Even if your area is currently green, you’re moving directly to shutdown – no passing through orange or yellow. You can collect a one-time payment of $400 per child if you’re a parent of school-aged children and can “expect money to begin flowing on April 26.”

But what does this mean for churches?

First we need to get our terms right. Even though the media may call it lockdown, and the government may use this term on some of its websites, the applicable regulation doesn’t use that term. The regulation uses either “shutdown” or “grey” zones.

Second, it means you need to be familiar with the rules in Regulation 82/20. Some parts of this regulation apply to “shutdown” zones and some parts apply to “grey” zones, so make sure you read the right parts.

Third, for shutdown zones there were some important changes to religious gathering rules made as of March 29:

• Indoor religious services, rites and ceremonies can be held at 15% of room capacity

• Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies can be held with an unlimited number of participants so long as attendees are able to comply with public health guidance on physical distancing

• The section governing drive-in services has been revoked. Presumably, drive-in services would be encompassed by the allowance for outdoor religious services (the government info page notes that “drive-in services, rite or ceremonies permitted, subject to certain conditions” – however, regulation 82/20 only refers to “drive-in” in the context of museums and entertainment venues)

Members looking to chat with other church and ministry leaders about challenges and opportunities during times of shutdown can join our online discussions in The Green!

The post Ontario Back to Shutdown, Modified appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

But already the variance allowing indoor worship services has been suspended.

In a March 29 news release, Dr. Henry and Minister Dix announced that indoor gatherings, including worship services, including for Easter, are now banned. The ban is in effect until at least April 19.

This post will still look at all three orders that control worship services, in hopes that the indoor variance will become revived.

1. The Universal Order

BC’s most recent Gatherings & Events order (24 March 2021) continues to prohibit an “event” which includes a worship or other religious service. The order allows only:

• Individual attendance at a place of worship for the purpose of prayer or quiet reflection (preamble, s K)
• a person to be present at a private dwelling to provide religious services to an occupant (Part A, s 2(g))
• an indoor wedding, baptism or funeral of no more than 10 people (Part D, s 1(d); s 2(b))
• an outdoor funeral of no more than 50 people, conducted by a religious body (Part D, s 1(d); s 2(a))

These exceptions are subject to a list of other requirements such as having a COVID-19 safety plan, collecting contact information, maintaining physical distancing, controlling access to the event, implementing measures to prevent congregating, making hand sanitizers available, etc

2. Outdoor Worship Service Variance

This 5-page variance order outlines the rules for religious bodies that choose to hold worship services.

Number of Services

There is no limit on the number of outdoor services allowed.

Capacity Limits

Fifty people, as well as people in fifty vehicles can attend. People in vehicles aren’t allowed to get out. The only exception to the capacity limit is that 2 additional people may attend “for the purpose of ensuring compliance.”

Organizer Obligations

Organizers must caution high risk persons from attending (including for those over 70, even if they’ve been vaccinated), pre-register all participants (first and last name, phone number or email address of every person present), provide hand sanitation supplies, require each attendee to carry out a health check, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering (subject to exemptions).

Worship Restrictions

Worship leaders, readers, soloists, musicians must wear a face covering. If there is a 3m separation or physical barrier, the face covering can be removed when speaking, singing or chanting. Because the order makes no mention of a pastor, priest, imam or rabbi, those roles are presumably included in the concept of “worship leader.”

Only worship leaders or soloists may sing or chant. Choirs are prohibited. Participants are prohibited from singing or chanting. The maximum number of musicians permitted is 5.

It’s not clear whether the singing prohibition applies to participants who attend in their vehicles.

Participants may stand 1.2m apart for up to 10 minutes for ritual congregation prayers if it is part of their religious practice.

Food or drink is permitted only if placed in a sanitary manner in single use containers.

Participants must not pass or share any items (collection plates, books, ceremonial objects).

Pre- and Post- Worship Service

Participants must not gather or engage socially before, during or after a worship service.

Participants must disperse immediately after a worship service.

Participants must not congregate.

Exclusion

The variance includes a funeral but not a wedding or baptism.

3. Indoor Worship Service Variance

*SUSPENDED UNTIL AT LEAST APRIL 19*

The 6-page variance order is very similar to the outdoor variance order but has some key differences which are noted below.

Four Days Only

For the 7-week period between Sunday, March 28 and Thursday, May 13, a religious body can select a maximum of 4 days on which to hold worship service(s), unless a local health area or community is excluded, as per the medical health officer, or Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority.

Capacity Limits

Capacity is limited to the lesser of 10% of the worship space capacity or 50 people. This number includes any worship leaders, readers, soloists, volunteers, pastors, priests, etc.  The only exception to the capacity limit is that 2 additional people may attend “for the purpose of ensuring compliance.”

Organizer Obligations

Organizers must caution high risk persons from attending, pre-register all participants (first and last name, phone number or email address of every person present), provide hand sanitation supplies, require each attendee to carry out a health check, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering (subject to exemptions).

Worship Restrictions

Worship leaders, readers, soloists, musicians must wear a face covering. If there is a 3m separation or physical barrier, the face covering can be removed when speaking, singing or chanting. Because the order makes no mention of a pastor, priest, imam or rabbi, those roles are presumably included in the concept of “worship leader.”

Only worship leaders or soloists may sing or chant. Choirs are prohibited. Participants are prohibited from singing or chanting. The maximum number of musicians permitted is 5.

Participants may stand 1.2m apart for up to 10 minutes for ritual congregation prayers if it is part of their religious practice.

Food or drink is permitted only if placed in a sanitary manner in single use containers.

Participants must not pass or share any items (collection plates, books, ceremonial objects).

Doors and windows should be kept open, if feasible.

Pre- and Post- Worship Service

Participants must not gather or engage socially before, during or after a worship service.

Participants must disperse immediately after a worship service.

Participants must not congregate.

The space must be cleaned, sanitized and ventilated after each service and before another starts.

Exclusion

The variance does not apply to weddings, baptisms or funerals.

What About the Rest of Canada?

BC’s approach to worship services stands in contrast to almost every other jurisdiction in Canada, which have allowed places of worship to open to varying degrees.

Alberta allows 15% of capacity; Manitoba the lower of 25% or 100 people; Ontario depends on the colour-coded zone, with grey at 15%, red/orange/yellow/green at 30%; Nova Scotia 50% up to 100 indoors. For a full listing, see this reference chart.

None require places of worship to select a pre-determined number of days on which to hold worship services.

This has caused some frustration amongst BC’s religious communities and caught the attention of both a national columnist in a recent opinion piece and a local church news site in an article summarizing views of a variety of BC church leaders.

In response to indefinite closures, many have tried to make “section 43 reconsideration” applications (including the Archdiocese of Vancouver; following which it filed a court application). Section 43 refers to section 43 of the Public Health Act. That section allows a person to request a reconsideration of orders, or variances to orders. It is difficult to assess whether these have been successful because it is an individual application process and decisions are not posted or shared publicly on a centralized platform. If the Archdiocese’s experience is indicative, it would suggest they have not been widely successful.

With indefinite orders and unpredictable or unsuccessful section 43 applications, many are looking at the gathering restrictions wondering what to do. While some churches are content and comfortable with virtual services, others may be questioning how to constructively and respectfully challenge the status quo.

If that’s you, here are some additional resources:

• Check out John Pellowe’s recent blog, highlighting the efforts of Westlynn Baptist Church in North Vancouver
• Read Pastor Sam Chua’s letter, or watch his video
• CCCC has also written to Dr. Henry and Minister Dix – you can read our letter here
• CCCC member? You can join the discussion in The Green where members can learn from each other’s advocacy work

We know that for some a year of restrictions; but though we may be separated from one another we are not separated from the love of Christ. His promises are never rescinded, and nothing – no restriction, no virus, no order – not even life or death can separate us from His love. Even when we face disappointment or loss, we can know that our labour in the Lord – however limited it may be – is not in vain. We can take comfort because our God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. He is faithful, and He will do it!

The post What’s Going on in BC? Churches, Closures & COVID-19 appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

Churches in the Grey Zone are now allowed to gather at 15% capacity for indoor “religious services, rites or ceremonies.” Outdoor services can have up to 50. The new figures also apply to weddings and funerals. This replaces the previous cap of ten people for grey zones.

Capacity limits are now common under reopening regulations. Businesses allowed to open in the Grey Zone are also subject to caps, such as grocery stores at 50% and big box stores at 25%.

Churches in Red, Green, Yellow and Orange zones continue to be limited to 30% capacity indoors, or 100 people outdoors.

You can check the status of your region and the applicable restrictions here.

This is a welcome announcement that comes after consultation with faith leaders. Since we have advocated on behalf of churches across the country, and have also encouraged our members to communicate with government and health officials, we are pleased to see the positive results of this kind of dialogue.

To that end, we encourage you to continue engaging with your own elected representative to ensure churches and faith-based organizations are part of the discussion. CCCC CEO John Pellowe shares a great example in his recent blog post, Challenging Authorities: Using Reason to Persuade.

We are thankful for the efforts of those involved, especially as we recognize the importance of in-person worship and care. As Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, expressed in a recent statement, “faith communities continue to be on the front line of prayer, care and outreach.”

If you have questions on the revised rules, want to share how your ministry may be affected and hear from others, we invite members to join our discussion on The Green.

The post In Case You Missed It: Ontario Grey Zone Churches Can Open at 15% appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

And now you’re wondering whether your good works are stymied by Ontario’s latest Stay At Home Order (“SAH Order”)? This post will take a look at what the SAH Order and Rules for Areas in Stage 1 say. I’ll note what seem to be the most relevant sections, but it is not an exhaustive list. Of course all of the general rules continue to apply to activities the government allows.

The SAH Order has a part called “Obtaining Goods and Services.”

• Section 5 permits people to obtain food, beverages and personal care items
• Section 6 permits people to obtain goods or services that are necessary for the health or safety of an individual, including health care services
• Section 8 allows people to purchase or pick up goods through alternative methods, such as curbside pickup from places allowed to offer curbside under the Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (more on that below)
• Section 11 permits people to receive social services and supports, mental health support services, or addiction support services

It also has a part called “Assisting Others.”

• Section 12 permits people to deliver goods or provide care or other support or assistance to an individual who requires support or assistance, or to receive such support or assistance.

The Rules for Areas in Stage 1 also apply to all Grey Zones – right now that is the entire province. In Schedule 2 of the Rules, it lists business that may open.

Retail businesses allowed to open are listed in sections 2-10 and 33(2). Section 10 allows other retailers to operate if:

• Sales are made using alternative methods like curbside (i.e. customers aren’t entering “the indoor area of the business”)
• If the business allows customers to pick up items, it must either have a public entrance opening onto a street or exterior sidewalk OR in a mall have a designated pickup location set by the mall
• Pickup items have to be ordered before arriving at the business
• Hours are limited to 7am-8pm

Some financial services are allowed to be open.

• Section 30 permits businesses that provide “accounting and tax services” to operate.

Health Care and Social Service providers that are allowed to operate are listed beginning at number 52.

• Section 52 permits home care or personal support services to seniors and persons with disabilities
• Section 54 permits professionals and organizations to provide in-person counselling services
• Section 60 permits organizations to provide food, shelter, safety or protection and/or social services and other necessities of life to economically disadvantaged and other vulnerable individuals

The bottom line is that if you’re providing, delivering or facilitating goods and services to vulnerable communities, there’s a good chance one of the permissive sections in the SAH Order and Rules will apply. It’s a matter of properly characterizing your activities and carefully reading the SAH Order and Rules to ensure you’re within the scope of those sections.

Our members are engaged in such a vast spectrum of charitable works, this post almost certainly doesn’t cover all of the potential ways in which charities are meeting community needs – but hopefully this overview gives many of you both a place to start and some encouragement that there are ways to continue in your love and good works!

Want more? Join our online discussion in The Green about challenges facing believers in pandemic. You can talk about pandemic-related restrictions, creative engagement, how to respond, challenges and opportunities and more!

The post Ontario’s Stay at Home Order: What About Your Good Works? appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

The measures now in force are a combination of:

• The emergency order issued under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA)
• Regulations issued under EMCPA, including the new enforcement regulation and the SAH order (it’s in the form of a regulation)
• The Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020
• Regulations issued under the Reopening Ontario Act, including the Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (note: this regulation was amended by Regulation 10/21 on January 13 – these changes were integrated with the Stage 1 Rules January 14)

You can find a list of the regulations in force and the revoked/spent regulations here.

You can also look at this overview document for a plain language summary of the changes.

Businesses & Organizations

The key change for businesses and organizations is that all staff are to work from home except where necessary:

Each person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall ensure that any person who performs work for the business or organization conducts their work remotely, with limited exception, for instance, where the nature of their work requires them to be on-site at the workplace.

The list of businesses permitted to open remains largely the same but with new restrictions: limited opening hours, limited capacity, requiring some curbside orders to be placed before arrival at some retail services, and some new capacity limits.

Can we access our business or workspace? The temporary access provisions under the Rules for Areas in Stage 1 do not seem to be changed in the latest amendments. Those allowed for temporarily be at the business or place for things like attending to critical matters relating to closure that can’t be done remotely, or accessing materials, goods or supplies necessary for remote operation, security services, or inspections and maintenance to be done. The SAH order allows people to attend a workplace where “the nature of the work” requires it, including when the “employer has determined that the nature of the individual’s work requires attendance at the workplace.”

Religious Services

Religious services of 10 people indoors or outdoors are permitted. They continue to be subject to requirements on physical distancing and face coverings.

The SAH order (s.24) specifically allows for making “necessary arrangements” for religious services, rites or ceremonies that are allowed under the Rules for Areas in Stage 1.

The SAH order (s.24) also specifically allows for attending those services, rites or ceremonies.

So what do the Rules for Areas in Stage 1 say?

• You can attend a gathering of no more than 10 people for the purpose of a religious service, rite or ceremony (this is repeated in the SAH order) (Sch 4, s 1(1)(d))
• When attending you must comply with public health guidance on physical distancing (Sch 4, s 1(2))
• These apply even if the religious service, rite or ceremony is held at a private dwelling (Sch 4, s 1(3))
• You cannot attend a social gathering associated with a gathering for religious services, rites or ceremonies unless it is outdoors and of no more than 5 people (Sch 4, s 1(b), (c))

The current Rules for Areas in Stage 1 therefore contemplates religious services, rites and ceremonies that are held in a private dwelling. Neither s 24 of the SAH order or the latest regulation appear to change this.

Section 24 of the SAH order effectively repeats the permission given in Rules for Areas in Stage 1 for religious gatherings.

What about drive-in services? Drive-in services are still allowed.

What about livestreaming? Livestreaming would seem to fall into two categories: (1) religious services of up to 10 are allowed as is “making necessary arrangements” for religious services, (2) temporary access to a business or place to access materials, goods or supplies necessary to operate remotely, which is also allowed.

Meeting Space for Addiction Support Services

Meeting or event spaces are allowed to remain open for mental health and addictions support services up to a maximum of 10 people, child-care centre operation and a list of various government services.

Schools

Schools in zones that were grey as of December 18, 2020 remain closed until February 10, 2021. Schools in other zones may or may not open, depending on what the Chief Medical Officer of Health advises. The decision and announcement will be made by January 20, 2021.

Social Gatherings

There are no indoor social gatherings.

Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 5 people and subject to requirements on physical distancing and face coverings.

The post Ontario’s New Emergency Order appeared first on CCCC Blogs.