Question

Write a 950–1000 word essay about:  one thing the Canadian government has been doing to fight the economic downturn caused by COVID, and explain in economic terms why it should (or shouldn't) work.

Answer 1

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges on many fronts, both for individual Canadians and businesses. Access to justice and the effective functioning of our justice and court system are fundamental to a just and fair Canadian society. In these exceptional circumstances, many Canadians, businesses and other organizations may be unable to meet numerous time limits currently set out in federal legislation, including rules for court civil cases and some key regulatory matters.

The Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) (the Act) allows the continued protection of Canadians’ rights in the context of civil legal proceedings, by ensuring that individuals are not prevented from asserting their rights because of the passage of a time limit. It also better supports Canadians, Canadian businesses, and the Government in making sure they are able to avoid irreversible legal consequences.

The Act has two parts which respectively address time limits relating to civil litigation proceedings and other time limits and periods included in federal legislation. It also includes a set of safeguards and parliamentary oversight provisions.

Time limits in civil litigation proceedings

The Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) automatically suspends time limits established under federal legislation for starting a civil legal proceeding or doing something in a civil legal proceeding.

This suspension of time limits is be valid for a maximum of 6 months, starting on March 13, 2020 and ending on September 13, 2020 or on an earlier date fixed by order of the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice.

Time limits and other periods in federal legislation

The Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) also now allows federal ministers to make temporary orders to extend or suspend other time limits identified in specific federal legislation for which they are responsible.

Orders made under this provision of the Act can be retroactive to March 13, 2020 and valid for a maximum of 6 months, but cannot have effect beyond December 31, 2020. Such orders also cannot be made after September 30, 2020.

Federal ministers can extend or suspend deadlines found in specific federal laws and regulations that are identified in the new Act. This list of laws and regulations can be found in the Act’s Schedule.

Safeguards and parliamentary oversight provisions

The Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) includes safeguards and parliamentary oversight provisions to enhance transparency.

These safeguards include:

• a requirement for the legislation to be interpreted so as to provide certainty in legal proceedings and ensure respect for the rule of law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• a sunset clause of September 30, 2020, meaning that orders cannot be made after that date, and a second sunset clause so that such orders cannot have effect beyond December 31, 2020
• a number of measures to ensure transparency and accountability, such as:
  • a requirement for all orders to be published on a government website within 5 days of being made and for a minimum of 6 months
  • a requirement for all orders to be published in the Canada Gazette within 14 days of being made
  • a requirement for all orders to be tabled in Parliament within three sitting days of being made or as soon as possible if Parliament is not sitting

Once tabled in Parliament, all temporary orders made under this legislation must be referred to a committee of the Senate and of the House of Commons.

COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving global issue. The Government of Canada will do everything necessary to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of Canadians, and is working around the clock to limit the spread of this pandemic. This is a critical time, and our top priority remains the safety and security of all Canadians.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today outlined additional actions being taken under the Government of Canada’s whole-of-government response to COVID-19 to limit its spread and to provide support to Canadian travellers. The Prime Minister also strongly urged Canadians to heed the following recommendations that:

• All Canadians avoid non-essential travel outside the country until further notice.
• Canadian travellers return to Canada via commercial means while they remain available.
• All travellers to Canada self-isolate for 14 days upon entry, with exceptions for workers who are essential to the movement of goods and people.

COVID-19’s spread has affected people in countries around the world. To protect Canadians and to ease the potential burden overseas travellers could place on our health care system and its frontline workers, the Prime Minister announced that, beginning March 18, 2020 the Government of Canada will, for air travel specifically:

• Bar foreign nationals from all countries except the United States from entering Canada. The measure would not apply in designated exceptional circumstances, including to air crews, travellers arriving in Canada in transit to a third country, Canadian permanent residents, diplomats, or immediate family members of Canadian citizens.
• Redirect international passenger flight arrivals to four airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, and Calgary International Airport. At this time, this measure will not affect domestic flights or flights from the United States, sun destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean, or St. Pierre-et-Miquelon, which can continue to operate on their regular routes and land at current Canadian destinations. The Government is working closely with the airline industry and airports to avoid unnecessarily disrupting operations and minimize additionally inconveniencing travellers.
• Strengthen screening measures at airports, including stronger and more visible messaging, health screening at kiosks, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high-traffic areas and facilities at airports.

In addition, airlines will prevent all travellers who present COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of their citizenship, from boarding international flights to Canada. Airlines will conduct a basic health assessment of all air travellers based on guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The Government will also provide support to Canadians affected by COVID-19 abroad. To help these Canadians return home or cope with challenges they are facing while travelling, the Government has created the COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad. The Program will provide the option of an emergency loan to Canadians in need of immediate financial assistance to help them return home or to temporarily cover their life-sustaining needs while they work toward their return.

These measures are part of a larger strategy the Government of Canada is implementing, based on science, to prioritize the health and safety of Canadians, ensure the capacity of our health care system, support international and domestic efforts, and mitigate the economic impacts on Canadians and Canadian business.

Today’s announcement builds on earlier measures put in place to respond to COVID-19, including waiving the one-week waiting period for Employment Insurance sickness benefits, enhancing the Work-Sharing Program, funding vaccine development and clinical trials, and investing to support the health care system in our provinces and territories.