COVID-19 updates for employers

On March 11th, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. This legislation is the latest aimed at providing a variety of support to American people, businesses and states continuing to endure COVID-19 related challenges. For employers, among other provisions, the bill extends the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and tax credits for certain paid leaves.

On December 27, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 into law. This legislation includes continued funding for government agencies and additional COVID-19 relief measures.

In response to COVID-19, Canada has enacted a number of provisions on the federal and provincial levels to help employers and individuals impacted by the global pandemic. On March 25th, 2020, bill C-13 An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, was unanimously passed into law in the parliament of Canada in support of the relief initiatives introduced by the federal government of Canada’s COVID-19 emergency response plan.