Legislative, Regulatory & Legal

C-stores and gas stations are exemptIn an attempt to give frontline retail workers a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, Quebec Premier Francois Legault on Monday ordered most of the stores still allowed to operate to close on Sundays during the month of April.The premier gave his newest directive as the province reported its biggest one-day spike in confirmed COVID cases - 590 positive tests - bringing the provincial total to 3,430.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this morning announced a significant increase to the wage subsidy for small- and medium-sized businesses — 75%, compared to the 10% previously promotions.

British Columbia invoked extraordinary emergency powers Thursday to protect consumers from profiteers and to maintain the steady supply of goods and services for those who need them during the COVID-19 pandemic.The powers will also unify provincial response efforts while taking an inventory of public spaces that could serve as possible COVID-19 pandemic treatment facilities.Premier John Horgan said the measures are required to ensure the flow of essential goods and services and support B.C.'s fight against the novel coronavirus, which has resulted in 14 deaths and infected more than 650 people."The steps we've taken today are unprecedented,'' he said at a news conference.

Ontario is preparing an order to fight what Premier Doug Ford is calling "disgusting'' price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the province ramps up its testing capacity to handle the growing number of infections.Details of the order were not immediately available, but Ford said anyone price gouging after the order goes through will be "done.''"A message to anyone who price gouges: We're coming after you,'' Ford said Thursday.

C-stores are among the retail operations permitted to remain open in Ontario in the wake of the Province's decision to close all non-essential businesses for 14 days.

With an eye on ensuring retailers, such as c-stores, have the products their customers want and need, all retail businesses are exempt from the City of Toronto Noise Bylaw to facilitate after-hour deliveries.Effective immediately and until further notice, the move is part of the City of Toronto’s response to COVID-19 and is meant to support of businesses and the community: The City’s Noise Bylaw includes the ability to provide an exemption in response to extraordinary circumstances affecting the immediate health, safety or welfare of the community.“We are taking this action to help Toronto businesses get deliveries and continue to stock their shelves with essential goods for our residents," said Mayor John Tory.  "By exempting retail businesses from the City’s noise bylaw right now, we will ensure that retailers can receive deliveries 24 hours of a day, seven days a week.”City staff – in consultation with Mayor John Tory’s office – moved quickly to make this immediate change after it was raised by the Retail Council of Canada as a way to allow additional deliveries for retailers the wake of panic-buying and stockpiling.“To assist in getting goods to market in a more expeditious manner, we applaud the City of Toronto for temporarily lifting time-of-day restrictions on roadways and deliveries for our retailers," said Diane J.

World oil prices are in free fall after Saudi Arabia slashed its crude sale price Sunday, signalling the start of a price war after OPEC talks with Russia broke down without an agreement on production cuts.

As of Jan.