Continuing to work for you
Siskinds is dedicated to continuing to serve you throughout these challenging times. Governmental restrictions and societal precautions have impacted how we deliver legal services for you. However, we know how to work within this changing environment and the field of law to the best extent possible.
Almost always, our work impacts critical points, interactions and transactions related to one’s personal life or business. Understandably, many of our clients are concerned about the impact that COVID-19 is having on their lives. We understand your situation and want to help you.
Updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic
Common topics that are relevant to many of our clients are below, as well as some topics that impact niche needs and concerns. If you have any specific questions or unique circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact your lawyer or send an email to us at [email protected] and we will find a lawyer who can help you.
![Man on a bus, wearing a blue surgical mask, holding his face like he's coughing.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/CivilLiability.jpg)
Civil Liability and COVID-19
![Business woman sitting at her desk in front of a laptop while during paperwork](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/EmployerLiability2022.jpg)
Three things Ontario employers can do this week to limit employment liability in 2022
![Man wearing a mask standing in an airport with his yellow roller suitcase and brown backpack](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/TravelPermanentResidentCard.jpg)
As a Canadian permanent resident, can I travel outside Canada without the Permanent Residence Card during COVID-19?
![A Canadian and American flag side by side waving in the wind in front of the Sarnia bridge.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/BorderCrossing.jpg)
Canadian border-crossing updates – November 30, 2021
![Older woman in a mask at the arrival gate of the airport. She is pulling a roller suitcase and carrying a large purse. She is walking towards someone with outstretched arms for a hug.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/GrandparentSponsorship.jpg)
Sponsorship applications: Parents and Grandparents Program 2021
![Woman wearing a mask sitting down next to a box of her desk items](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/UnemploymentPayments-WrongfulDismissal.jpg)
Are COVID-19 unemployment payments deductible from wrongful dismissal damages?
![Business man wearing a mask. Leaving the office with his desk items in a box.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/InfectiousDiseaseLeave.jpg)
What’s an employer to do when Infectious Disease Emergency Leave ends?
![A man wearing a blue surgical mask holds a box of desk items. He is looking out of a office window.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/TemporaryLayoffs.jpg)
COVID-19 temporary layoffs: Not constructive dismissal after all?
![Back view of a woman sitting at a desk using her computer for work, a dog sit in the chair to her left](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/FutureRemoteWork.jpg)
The future of remote work: Important employer considerations
![A person sitting on a flight of stairs holding their belongings in a box. A paper in the box says](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ConstructiveDismissals.jpg)
Court weighs in on constructive dismissals and layoff during COVID-19 pandemic
![A warehouse worker in an orange vest, standing between warehouse shelves, blowing his nose with a tissue.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/WorkerIncomeBenefit.jpg)
COVID-19 worker income protection benefit
![Man with glasses wearing a white mask, yellow hard hat and safety vest, leaning on a railing and holding a clip board.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/InspectorFactory.jpg)
What to expect from OHSA inspectors in the age of COVID-19
![Older man being vaccinated by a nurse wearing PPE.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ManVaccination.jpg)
Can employers require COVID-19 vaccinations?
![Man in a warehouse, looking at a clipboard while wearing a mask.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/IncreasedInspections.jpg)
Employers should brace themselves for more workplace inspections
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021employersremainvigilant.jpg)
2021: COVID-19 is still here and employers must remain vigilant
![Empty Jury box in a courtroom.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/EmptyJury.jpg)
Civil jury trials during the pandemic
![Female worker wearing a mask and gloves handing coffee and a bag to a customer.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ONrecoveryAct_JenH.jpg)
No protection for employers under the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act
![Young woman on a video call waving to person on laptop.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/VirtualInvestigations_JenCostin.jpg)
Conducting workplace investigations COVID-style
![A man standing behind a counter in an apron, wearing gloves and a face mask, sanitizing hands.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/LimitingLiability_AnnaS.jpg)
COVID-19 and limiting liability
![Hair stylist standing in a salon looking into camera with crossed arms, wearing a mask and other PPE](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ColourCodeRestrictions.jpg)
Ontario’s new restriction framework and what that means for Ontario businesses
![Group of business colleagues having a meeting](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Union_ChrisS.jpg)
It’ll never happen to us: Union avoidance in the age of COVID-19
![Mother helps her child with at home learning](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/LayoffsLeavesTermiations_JenniferC.jpg)
Leaves, Layoffs and Terminations: COVID’s Impact on Ontario’s Workplaces
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/21.COVID-19Contract.jpg)
Dazed and Confused: Five more contractual considerations for uncertain times
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/20.COVID-19screening.jpg)
New COVID-19 screening requirement for businesses and organizations
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/21.COVID_Contract.jpg)
Dazed and Confused: Five contractual considerations for uncertain times
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/SupportBusinesses_CEBA.jpg)
Support for Businesses during COVID-19: CEBA application deadline extended
![Person writing on a calendar beside a laptop](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/5.FilingDeadlinesforPatents.jpg)
Filing deadlines extended for patents, trademarks, designs – Update: Final extension
![Older woman sitting on couch while younger woman stands and hugs older woman from behind.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/LongTermCareVisitors.jpg)
Resuming visits in long-term care homes
![A nurse helping an older woman out of a wheel chair](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/LongTermCare.jpg)
Essential visitors, essential caregivers, and COVID-19
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Podcast_Chris_Jaime_2.jpg)
Episode 7: How Intellectual Property Law Affects Your Business
![Older woman with her back to the camera, sitting in a wheel chair in her bedroom looking out the window.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/NursingHome.jpg)
Ontario’s Bill 161 will make it harder to sue negligent nursing homes
![Street view of storefronts that are closed](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/StorefrontsClosedEviction.jpg)
Ontario bans some commercial evictions
![Close up photo of exterior of courthouse](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/CourthouseExterior.jpg)
Ontario considers scrapping civil jury trials to deal with courts backlog
![A mother working from home on a laptop with her baby on her lap, distracting the baby with a toy.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ChildcareOptionsCBC.jpg)
Returning to work but still few options for childcare
![Profile pictures of Christopher Sinal and Katherine Serniwka](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Podcast_LE_Katherine_Chris.jpg)
Episode 6: Professional practice law and running a practice virtually
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Podcast_Chris_Vivian.jpg)
Episode 5: Corporate law and conducting business during the pandemic
![Cars parked side by side in a parking garage](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/CarInsuranceRelief.jpg)
Some insurers offer stay-at-home drivers relief, but is it fair?
![Man at his Kitchen table working from home.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Bill190_Covid.jpg)
Bill 190 – COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Podcast_Chris_Elena2.jpg)
Episode 4: Immigration law, foreign workers and other timely insight
![Female Doctor using a desktop computer looking into the camera](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/VirtualER.jpg)
Innovating in London: The virtual ER at the Children’s Hospital
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Podcast_Chris_MattW2.jpg)
Episode 3: Real estate law and the importance of keeping good relationships
![Back view of a person on a video conference with four other people.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ExaminationVideoConference.jpg)
Examination for discovery to proceed via video-conference
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Podcast_Chris_MW2.jpg)
Episode 2: Keep your company’s data as clean as your hands
![View of woman's back as she sits at a table on a video meeting.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ShareholderMeetingRequirements.jpg)
Clarity on director and shareholder meeting requirements
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/Podcast_LE_Liam_Chris3.jpg)
Episode 1: Challenges facing employers now and in the future
![Aerial view of restaurant owner sitting at a table working on his laptop. The additional chairs are turned over onto the table.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/SmallBusinessRelief_Update.jpg)
Update on rent relief for Canadian small businesses
![Street view, cobblestone road, buildings across the street](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/CondoProvisions.jpg)
Condominium electronic meetings and time extensions
![Close up of a person's hands while signing a contract](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ForceMajeure.jpg)
Force Majeure and the COVID-19 pandemic
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/17.VirtualWitnessingofWills.jpg)
Virtual witnessing of Wills & POA’s
![Young woman sitting at a kitchen counter with a laptop and phone looking into the camera with a neutral expression](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/CERBUpdate.jpg)
Further changes to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
![Mother on couch with her children, wrapping them in a blanket and giving them a hug.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/FamilyMotionsChange.jpg)
COVID-19 and the anticipated wave of motions to change
![Small business woman working on laptop and writing in a journal](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/EarlyStageCompanies.jpg)
Canada announces funding for early-stage companies
![Person video calling a doctor on an iPad](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/VirtualPatientCare.jpg)
Providing virtual patient care during a pandemic
![Frustrated couple](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/DivorceDuringC19-.jpg)
Can I get a divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic?
![Store fronts along street](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/19.-CommRentRelief.jpg)
Canadian small businesses to receive rent relief
![Empty corporate boardroom](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/CorporationsMeeting_Vivian.jpg)
Emergency Order provides flexibility for corporations’ meeting requirements
![Female doctor at a desk, on the phone and writing a note](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/DoctorNote_Jennifer.jpg)
Answering employers’ COVID-19 medical note and leave questions
![Empty Playground](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/EmergencyOrderUpdate_Brendan.jpg)
COVID-19 – Ontario’s emergency orders extended
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/18.Critical-Condominium_Webcastv3.jpg)
Siskinds & CBA webcast: critical condominium law issues
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/ImpactOfCovidEnviroLaw_Paula.jpg)
Impact of COVID-19 on environmental law
![Man sitting at table looking at documents.](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/FranchiseDiscolsure_Andrew.jpg)
Franchise disclosure during COVID-19 pandemic
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/9.CanadaEmergencyResponseBenefit.jpg)
The basics of the federal government subsidy program
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/16.WorkSharing.jpg)
E.I. Work-sharing: a potential option
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/16.WSIB_.jpg)
Exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace & WSIB claims
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/15.LongerWorkHours.jpg)
Longer hours – more scrutiny
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/10.WageSubsidyPrograms.jpg)
Canadian Emergency Response Benefits (CERB)
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/14.EssentialServices.jpg)
Essential places of business in Ontario
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/11.Leaves_layoffs-furloughs.jpg)
Differences and risks of leaves, layoffs and furloughs
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/8.Alberta_Enviromental_Reporting.jpg)
Environmental reporting suspended in Alberta
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/WebcastLiamandChris.png)
TechAlliance webcast: employers & COVID-19 FAQ’s
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/6.LimitationPeriods.jpg)
Litigators: limitation periods and procedural deadlines suspended
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/7.PI_Claim_C-19_Impact.jpg)
How will COVID-19 affect my personal injury claim?
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/4.Child_Access_during_COVID-19.jpg)
Should I send my child for access during the COVID-19 pandemic?
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/3.Franchise_C-19v2.jpg)
What does COVID-19 mean for franchise systems?
![](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2.Coronavirus_EmployeersFAQs.jpg)
Coronovirus: employers’ frequently asked questions
![Siskinds logo on purple background](https://www.siskinds.com/wp-content/uploads/1.MessageFromTheBoard.jpg)
Our firm’s response – message from our board of directors