COVID-19 Information, Resources and Best Practices for Registry Agents Updated: Sept 1, 2020
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COVID-19
Information, Resources and Best
Practices for Registry Agents
Updated: Sept 1, 2020
Please continue to visit alberta.ca/COVID19 for all the latest official information
from the Government of Alberta. This website is constantly being updated with all
the latest official information.
Table of Contents
1. Alberta Health COVID-19 information updates ........................................................ 6
1.1 Workplace Plan Template .................................................................................. 6
1.2 Workplace Guidance for Business Owners............................................................ 6
1.3 Biz Connect ........................................................................................................ 8
1.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)/PPE Supply Program ................................ 8
• PPE requirements in the workplace ................................................................... 8
• PPE Procurement websites ............................................................................... 8
• PPE Supply Program [THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED] ........................... 9
1.5 Guidance on non-medical masks ......................................................................... 10
1.6 Waiving cost recovery fee to registries for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan .. 10
2. Quick facts................................................................................................................. 11
2.1 Social Distancing ................................................................................................. 11
3. Mental Health Resources .......................................................................................... 11
3.1 Mental health immediate support ......................................................................... 11
3.2 Other Resources: ................................................................................................. 12
4. Service Alberta Updates ............................................................................................ 12
4.1 Extensions to motor vehicle expirations [EXTENSION IS NOW EXPIRED] ........ 12
4.2 Registries Assurance Telephone Support Changes ............................................ 13
4.3 Reduced hours/closure: ....................................................................................... 14
4.4 Alberta Registry Fact Sheet for Travelers ............................................................ 14
4.5 Interim GAM Policies Exceptions ......................................................................... 14
4.6 Motor Vehicle Program Changes ......................................................................... 14
4.7 Security, Investigator and Locksmith Licence Extension [EXTENSION IS
EXPIRED] .................................................................................................................. 15
4.9 Alternative Service Delivery ................................................................................. 16
• COVID-19 Interim MV Policies ......................................................................... 16
• Questions and Answers about interim policies ................................................. 17
4.8 Service Alberta Question and Answer ................................................................. 18
5. Alberta Transportation Updates................................................................................. 21
5.1 Road testing ......................................................................................................... 21
5.2 Medical Evaluation ............................................................................................... 22
6. Government of Alberta measures to address COVID-19........................................... 22
2
6.1 Phased re-launched strategy ............................................................................... 22
6.2 Financial and other support for Albertans: ........................................................... 23
• Utility payment holiday ......................................................................................... 23
• Student loans repayment holiday ......................................................................... 23
• Education property tax freeze .............................................................................. 23
• 14-day Job-protected leave.................................................................................. 23
• 90-day protected leave for employees caring for children .................................... 23
• Emergency Isolation Support: $50 million [THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED]24
6.3 Financial and other support for employers ....................................................... 24
• Relaunch grants for businesses ........................................................................... 24
• Commercial rent freeze and bans on evictions .................................................... 25
• Temporarily Removing requirement of notice for changes to schedules and shifts
............................................................................................................................... 26
• Corporate income tax changes ............................................................................ 26
• Utility payment holiday ......................................................................................... 26
• Banks and credit unions: ...................................................................................... 26
• Education property tax deferral for business ........................................................ 26
• WCB premiums deferral for private sector businesses and support for small and
medium businesses ............................................................................................... 27
• Vacation pay, leave or banked overtime .............................................................. 27
• Other temporary changes to Employment Standard Code................................... 27
6.4 Additional posters for your business .................................................................... 28
6.5 Enforcing measures to stop spread of COVID-19 ................................................ 28
6.6 Closure of non-essential businesses [NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES NOW
REOPENING] ............................................................................................................ 29
6.7 Annual returns for corporations, cooperatives and organizations ........................ 29
6.8 Expanded child care for essential workers........................................................... 30
6.9 Bits and Pieces Program ..................................................................................... 30
6.10 Business Link ..................................................................................................... 30
7. Government of Canada measures to address COVID-19 ......................................... 31
7.1 Resource for finding federal benefits ................................................................... 31
7.2 Financial assistance for individuals: ..................................................................... 31
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit ................................................................ 31
• Wage top up for essential workers earning less than $2500 ................................ 32
3
• GST Tax Credit .................................................................................................... 32
• Increasing the Canada Child Benefit .................................................................... 33
• Income Tax filing deferral ..................................................................................... 33
• Applying for the EI Sickness Benefit .................................................................... 33
• Applying for Regular EI (Temporary Layoff, Child Care etc.) ............................... 33
• Completing the Record of Employment (ROE) .................................................... 34
7.3 Financial support for businesses: ........................................................................ 34
• July 5 – November 21 Redesigned Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ............. 34
•March 15 – July 4 Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy 75% ................................. 37
• 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy ........................................................................... 38
• Work share program ............................................................................................ 39
• Business tax payments deferral to September 30 2020 ....................................... 40
• Defer GST/HST payments and duties/taxes owed until June .............................. 40
• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) ................................................... 40
• Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) ...................................................... 41
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (CECRA) ................ 42
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund RRRF.......................................................... 43
• Other measures of federal relief........................................................................... 43
7.4 Self-Isolation Mandatory for Individuals Entering Canada ................................... 43
7.5 Canadian Business Resilience Network .............................................................. 44
8. Banking ..................................................................................................................... 45
9. Business continuity plans .......................................................................................... 45
10. Occupational Health and Safety .............................................................................. 45
11. Other Government of Alberta Resources ................................................................ 47
12. Best Practices: ........................................................................................................ 48
12.1 Best Practices Guidance.................................................................................... 48
12.2. Disinfectant ....................................................................................................... 49
12.3 Sneeze guard examples .................................................................................... 50
13. Municipal Information: (UPDATED) ......................................................................... 52
13.1 City of Calgary Mandatory Mask by-law............................................................. 52
13.2 City of Edmonton Mandatory Mask by-law......................................................... 53
13.3 Other Municipalities (UPDATED) ....................................................................... 54
14. Questions around Back to School, COVID-19 and Employee Management (NEW) 55
4
15. Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (NEW) ................................................ 56
16. Additional Resources:.............................................................................................. 57
Appendix 1: Business Q&A ........................................................................................... 58
Q & A Quick Index: .................................................................................................... 58
Employee Management ............................................................................................. 59
EI, Temporary Layoff & Employee Income ................................................................ 62
• Employees & Canada Emergency Response Benefit.............................................. 62
• Employees & EI ....................................................................................................... 62
• Business Closures & Employees ............................................................................. 65
• Terminations and layoffs.......................................................................................... 65
• Record of Employment (ROE) ................................................................................. 67
• Other questions on employee compensation........................................................... 70
Dealing with Customers ............................................................................................. 72
Health and Safety ...................................................................................................... 73
Business Operations: ................................................................................................. 77
• 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers ........................................................ 77
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy 75% ................................................................. 79
• Work-Sharing Program ............................................................................................ 81
• WCB Relief for Employers ....................................................................................... 84
• Other business operations topics ............................................................................ 85
Appendix 2: Pandemic Planning and Management Checklist – For Registry Owners... 88
Appendix 3: Registry Pandemic Plan Template ............................................................ 90
Appendix 4 Comparison of wage subsidies and work-sharing programs ...................... 92
Appendix 5: Sections 62-64 of Employment Standards Codes which must be included in
temporary layoff notices ................................................................................................ 94
Big thanks to all those who have provided information and content for this
document.
5
1. Alberta Health COVID-19 information updates
1.1 Workplace Plan Template
The Government of Alberta recommends that businesses implement policies and
procedures to address COVID-19, including a plan to reduce the risk of transmission
among staff and customers.
The Government of Alberta has developed a template for the work place plan here.
You can use the General workplace guidance document for business owners re-
opening or continuing operations to help you fill out the form. Please note that filling
out this form is voluntary.
If you need more information please visit alberta.ca/bizconnect or need help filling
out the form you can email bizconnect@alberta.ca .
1.2 Workplace Guidance for Business Owners
All registries should review the workplace guidance document for business owners
and the government encourages businesses to implement the recommendations
including:
• Conducting a hazard assessment and controlling any hazards, for example if
workers need to be less than 2 m apart placing barrier between workers or
requiring that they wear face masks.
• Placing handwashing station or sanitizer at the points of entry.
• Active daily screening of workers for symptoms of runny nose, sore throat,
cough, fever or shortness of breath.
6
A reminder that Employers have the legal obligation to provide a safe workplace
under Occupational Health and Safety legislation, for more information see Section
10 on Occupational Health and Safety in this document. Employees also play a
role; but, employers have the overarching obligation. This includes following the
guidance from public health officials which is all included in this document.
AHS Public Health Inspectors are also recommending the following practices for
businesses, most registries have already put a lot of these measures in place:
1. Place signs around the store to remind staff and the public to wash their hands
and to ensure they maintain social distancing from others
• Social distancing is a means to stop or slow the spread of a contagious
disease by standing at least 6 feet away from others (or the length of a
bicycle)
• Many retail stores including grocery stores have actually placed tape on
the floor every 6 feet near the check-out lines. This allows the public to
know where they should be standing to maintain social distancing.
2. Having a strict illness policy for staff
• For staff that may be sick, make it very clear that they should not be
coming to work sick (especially if they have any flu-like symptoms).
3. Increase the frequency of cleaning for the facility (especially high touch areas
such as doorknobs etc).
• Disinfectant to be used must be one that is affective against viruses
• Alternatively, a bleach water solution that can be made (1 part bleach in 9
parts water).
4. Stagger the breaks/ lunch times of your employees so they are not spending
their lunch times together in the lunchroom which may hinder proper social
distancing
5. Have sanitizer stations available throughout the store
6. Limit the number of people entering the store such that social distancing can still
be practiced. If it gets too busy, please have customers line up outside the store.
• If possible, guards or other staff members can be situated at the door to
complete head counts and to stop new customers from coming in if it
becomes too crowded.
7
• A health pre-screening can also be done here: if customers are looking ill
(ie runny noses, coughing) , they may be prevented entry and denied
service
AARA is collecting contacts for cleaning supplies, sanitizer and other products
related to health and safety here.
1.3 Biz Connect
The Alberta Biz Connect web page provides business owners with information on
health and safety guidelines for general workplaces and sector-specific guidelines for
those able to open in stage one of relaunch to ensure businesses can reopen safely
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Registries are encouraged to regularly check the
website for the latest updates.
There is also a useful Q&A on the website that may help answer questions you might
have.
For more information, visit alberta.ca/BizConnect
1.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)/PPE Supply Program
• PPE requirements in the workplace
Businesses should conduct a hazard assessment to identify existing and
potential hazards related to COVID-19.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is necessary when physical distancing of
2 metres or physical barriers cannot be maintained by administrative and
engineering controls (like barriers or partitions, floor markings, limiting the
number people in your business at one time).
Examples of PPE include gloves, eye protection, gown, face protections,
procedure/surgical masks or NIOSH-N95 masks.
Masks must be worn properly to be effective. Find out how at alberta.ca/masks.
• PPE Procurement websites
The Government of Alberta has listed these procurement websites where
business owners can purchase PPE:
Rapid Response Platform Canada
8
ATB Nexus
• PPE Supply Program [THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED]
The Government of Alberta PPE supply program for businesses will end on June
30. With the PPE supply chain improving and with more companies now
developing PPE, Alberta businesses have more options to source their own PPE.
If you are finding it difficult to find PPE locally or online to protect staff and
customers, you may be eligible to receive supplies from the Government of
Alberta. Requests will be prioritized depending on the supply available. You can
request a variety of PPE including hand sanitizer, disinfectant, masks (N95
masks only available to healthcare workers), gloves and other supplies. You will
be invoiced for the cost of the PPE requested:
To complete your request, fill out the PPE Request Form:
https://ppe.sp.alberta.ca/Lists/Requests/New.aspx?IsDlg=1
Make it clear in your request that your registry is providing government services
to the general public.
9
When filling out the form, please ensure you complete all mandatory fields. It is
very important that you only order for a two week period so that all who require
PPE have access to it. They understand your urgency and will work with our
colleagues to procure items to meet your submitted requests.
If your request meets the criteria and there is available stock, the request will be
filled. They cannot provide an ETA on your order, however, you will be contacted
once confirmation is received that your goods are ready for shipment.
Note: PPE is being shipped as it comes in, so you may receive a partial order.
PESS is tracking all shipments to ensure requests are properly filled.
1.5 Guidance on non-medical masks
The Government of Alberta has released a guidance document on non-medical face
masks that can be found at alberta.ca/masks.
Medical masks and respirators must be kept for health-care workers and others
providing direct care to COVID-19 patients. Those who choose to wear a
nonmedical face mask should:
• continue to follow all other public health guidance (staying two metres away
from others, wash hands regularly, stay home when sick)
• wash their hands immediately before putting it on and immediately after taking
it off (in addition to practising good hand hygiene while wearing it)
• ensure it fits well (non-gaping)
• not share it with others
• avoid touching the mask while wearing it
• change masks as soon they get damp or soiled
1.6 Waiving cost recovery fee to registries for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
Alberta Health has advised us that to assist with business continuity during the
COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta Health will temporarily waive the cost recovery fee
related to the provision of Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) registration
services for the period January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020, inclusive.
The quarterly invoices will be mailed this week and will indicate a zero balance for
the period of January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020. Any outstanding cost recovery in
arrears is not waived. Alberta Health will revisit the waiving of fees in June 2020.
102. Quick facts
The most important measures that you can take to prevent respiratory illnesses,
including COVID-19, is to practice good hygiene.
This includes cleaning your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoiding
touching your face, coughing or sneezing into your elbow or sleeve, disposing of
tissues appropriately, and staying home and away from others if you are sick.
Anyone who has health concerns or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should
complete an online COVID-19 self-assessment.
For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, visit
alberta.ca/COVID19.
2.1 Social Distancing
Social distancing measures continue to be an important way to minimize the spread
of COVID-19. A tip sheet is available to help Albertans understand ways to minimize
close contact with others in community settings.
3. Mental Health Resources
3.1 Mental health immediate support
• Mental Health Hotline
Many people are feeling anxious, stressed and overwhelmed. If you need
support, you can call the mental health hotline.
1-877-303-2642 or 1-866-332-2323
Provides toll-free, 24/7 telephone service, which offers help for mental health
concerns for Albertans:
o confidential, anonymous service
o crisis intervention o information about mental health programs and
services o referrals to other agencies if needed
For more mental health resources please visit: AHS Help in Tough Times.
11• Text4Hope
Free daily text messaging services, evidence-based tool that helps people identify
and adjust the negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours a pandemic might be
expected to provoke
To subscribe text COVID19HOPE to 393939.
• Kids help phone
You can reach a Kids Help Phone counsellor 24/7 at 1-800-668-6868 or for text
and online support please visit: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
• Employee Benefits
Some employee benefit plans have access to mental health resources like the
Employee Assistance Plan. If you aren’t sure of your benefits, check with your
employer.
3.2 Other Resources:
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has a great FAQ, tips, coping
strategies, self assessments and resources to manage your mental health during
the pandemic here.
• Alberta Health Services:
o COVID-19 and your mental health printable tip sheet.
• Mental Health Commission of Canada
o Mental Health First Aid: COVID-19 Self-Care & Resilience Guide.
o Tips available to help Canadians protect their mental health as they strive
to safeguard their physical well-being and that of their loved ones.
4. Service Alberta Updates
4.1 Extensions to motor vehicle expirations [EXTENSION IS NOW EXPIRED]
• The Registrar of Motor Vehicles has extended the expiration of all Alberta motor
vehicle documents until May 15, 2020. This includes: Driver’s licences, vehicle
registrations, validation tabs, permits or any other vehicle document prescribed
by the regulation.
12• New Albertans can continue to use their existing driver’s licences from other
jurisdictions for up to 90 days. This information will be posted to RAnet when
ready.
• The temporary extension of the expiry of Motor Vehicle Documents will end
at 11:59 PM on May 15, 2020. Albertans are being reminded to renew on or
before May 15 if a driver’s licence, ID card, or vehicle registration expiry date falls
from March 17 through May 14.
• Vehicle registrations expire on the last day of an assigned month based on the
registrant’s surname or company name. Albertans and companies with vehicle
registrations expiring in March and April (including those whose last names begin
with B, D, G, Y) were eligible for the expiry date extension and need to renew on
or before May 15.
• Driver’s licences and ID cards expire on the holder’s birthday in the year noted
on the card. Albertans who have birthdays from March 17 through May 15 and
whose cards expire this year need to renew on or before May 15.
• Drivers who require a medical evaluation to apply or renew their licence will still
have 90 days from the date of renewal or issuance to provide their completed
medical form. Please refer to the RAnet for more information.
4.2 Registries Assurance Telephone Support Changes
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure continued support for
agents, effective March 24, 2020 and until further notice, Registries Assurance will
be suspending telephone support through the 1-800-727-9221 number and
transitioning to enhanced email support. A process has been put in place by which
registry agents can request a call back from a Registries Specialist via email when
an Albertan is at the office and immediate approval is required or the immediate
processing of a mandatory request is required.
To request a call back from a Registries Specialist, registry agents must send an
email to registries.assurance@gov.ab.ca. This email must comply with the following
guidelines:
Subject Line:
CALLBACK P### CRA##### Body:
Reference (MVID, Plate, VAC, etc.)
CRA’s direct call back phone number
Attachments (if applicable):
Should your requested call back require the review of documentation, please ensure
you attach a copy of the documents to your email request
The hours of operation will remain unchanged: Monday – Friday from 9:00am –
12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:30pm.
134.3 Reduced hours/closure:
Some of you have indicated the need to reduce hours, and are even possibly
considering a full or partial closure. Our registry agent contract doesn’t dictate your
hours of operation, but it does specify that if you are closed for more than four
business days, you may be in breach of your contract unless prior approval is
received. Also given the current situation regarding COVID-19, Service Alberta is
requiring all office closures or reduction of hours to be reported.
If you are considering a full or partial closure or reduced hours, please contact
Service Alberta at SA.Contract.Admin@gov.ab.ca.
4.4 Alberta Registry Fact Sheet for Travelers
Service Alberta has posted a fact sheet for recent out of country travelers who are
seeking health care coverage and motor vehicle documents. This document can be
found on RAnet here.
4.5 Interim GAM Policies Exceptions
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, effective immediately and until further
notice, the following are temporary policy extensions related to 3rd party record
checks and ROADS re-enrollment after extended absences.
As a result of potential delays in obtaining a Police Information Check (PIC),
Service Alberta will extend the validity of 3rd party record checks to 90 days from
the date of submission and require a PIC obtained directly through a police agency
within Canada within 90 days of submission of the 3rd party record check.
For any extended absences including lay-offs of registry agent personnel, Registry
Agents can now submit the Notice of Change to Registry Agent Personnel Account
Information (REG11266) (pdf) form to ROADS Administration for absences longer
than 90 days rather than 60 days.
4.6 Motor Vehicle Program Changes
Given the current pandemic and noting that the registry agent network is operating
at a reduced capacity, Service Alberta has extended time periods on some registry
services, including updating addresses after moving and the transfer of registration
in some cases.
Changes have also been made to the Access to Motor Vehicle Information
Regulation to help law enforcement and public bodies enforce public health orders:
14Vehicle registration and demographics information may be requested by a public
body or a law enforcement agency in attempting to enforce a public health order.
This modification would allow that information to be released without an agreement
being in place. This provision is limited to the entities most likely to require this
information to limit the risk of misuse. Registry agents are requested to refer these
requests directly to DACMU.
A six-month extension of all existing agreements is justified due to the difficulties in
concluding new agreements that arise from the disruption of regular business.
For details please visit RAnet here.
4.7 Security, Investigator and Locksmith Licence Extension [EXTENSION IS
EXPIRED]
To allow continued service of individuals and businesses licensed under the
Security Services and Investigators Act, the expiry dates will be extended on all
business and individual licences expiring between March 9, 2020, and July 1,
2020.
The extension deadline is subject to change as Alberta’s public health response
changes. Licensees will be notified as changes come into force.
Current Licences
• Individual and business licences that expire between March 9, 2020 and July 1,
2020, will be automatically extended and remain subsisting and valid until
midnight July 2, 2020.
• The terms and conditions of current licenses will remain in force. The current
authority of licensed businesses and individuals and all reporting obligations
remain in place.
Temporary Licences
• The expiry date of temporary licences, which are issued by email at the time of
processing, will also be extended.
Licence Renewals
• Renewal applications that were received prior to this change will continue to be
processed until further notice. Expiry dates on these renewals will supersede
the new extension dates.
• The program will continue to process new licences while permitted under the
circumstances of a public health emergency.
15Exemptions
• This extension does not apply to licensees with temporary foreign worker or
student work permits. All documents must be kept up to date with the program
office.
• If an individual’s baton training has expired, they must cease use of this
equipment immediately.
Contact Us
• The Security Services and Investigators Program will continue to monitor the
impacts of service delivery changes on the industry and notify licensees should
any further changes be implemented.
• In the event our offices are closed, staff will continue to monitor and respond to
emails at ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca.
4.9 Alternative Service Delivery
• COVID-19 Interim MV Policies
The Government of Alberta is temporarily allowing registry agents to provide
select services by phone, secure email, fax, or mail.
The following registry services will be able to be provided through alternative
delivery methods by registry agents:
• All corporate registry services (available by fax or email)
• All personal property registry services (available by fax or email)
• Select motor vehicles services, available by telephone, fax, mail or email (with
secure encryption)
○ Driver’s licence or Identification Card services:
Renewal (one year with existing photo)
Replacement
Re-class
Exchange (address change)
Condition Code maintenance
Cancellation
○ Vehicle registration services:
Renewal
Duplicate registration certificate
Replacement validation tab (expiry date sticker on licence
plate)
Exchange licence plate
Transfer registration to a new vehicle
Cancellation
Specialty plate order (Support our Troops, Calgary Flames,
Edmonton Oilers)
16○ Other:
Driver’s abstract and operator history confirmation letter
Vehicle Information Report
Payment on account, including fine payments
In-transit permits
Appeal applications for Alberta Transportation Safety Board
To ensure compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) requirements, registry
agents that opt to provide services by alternative methods cannot accept payment
over the phone or by email. Agents need to establish an online payment portal, for
any credit card payments, in accordance with PCI requirements.
For more information please visit RAnet or see Q&A below.
• Questions and Answers about interim policies
The interim policy says I must encrypt email, how do I encrypt email? And what is
the encryption standard?
Email providers like Outlook and Gmail provide encryption acceptable to Service
Alberta – check with your email provider about whether or not they provide
encryption services. Service Alberta has indicated that Transport Layer Security
encryption is adequate. End to end encryption is not a requirement.
Another option is to ask the customer send an encrypted email to the registry.
The customer can then choose whether or not to encrypt the email.
To encrypt a Gmail message just click the lock logo at the bottom of the message
“turn confidential mode on/off”:
17How do I accept payment for services offered over the phone and be compliant
with Government of Alberta standards for PCI compliance?
Check with your payment processor to see if they already have a system for
customers to pay through an email or text link.
If you are an OptionPay customer follow these steps:
Your OptionPay account already has an Invoices dropdown tab built into
the system. This allows you to set the dollar amount, send your customer
their invoice to pay, and they can enter their credit card details.
To send the link to a cardholder, complete the following steps:
1. Login to OptionPay
2. Go to the invoices tab
3. Select “Send a Quick Invoice”
4. Leave client to invoice as “Quick Invoice”
5. Enter the cardholders e-mail
6. Leave the due date, payment terms, etc. blank unless you wish to
fill them out
7. Enter the service provided in the blank space below currency and
the dollar amount next to it
8. You may repeat step 6 multiple times by clicking “Add Another
Item” if you are completing multiple services with different fees
associated with these services.
9. Scroll to the very bottom and click “Send now”
If you would like either of these services enabled and do not currently
have them, please e-mail us at ehj@optionpay.ca and we will have them
turned on right away.
If your payment provider doesn’t have an option to pay through email/text link you
can contact OptionPay at ehj@optionpay.ca to set up an account to process these
transactions. Other companies like KixPay, PaySimply, Wave Payments and many
others may provide a solution that works for your registry.
4.8 Service Alberta Question and Answer
As we get answers to member’s questions to Service Alberta we will post them here
Questions: MOVES is charging renewals for March and April renewals a full 12
months. Is this correct?
Yes, even though the date has been extended, customers are expected to pay the
full 12 months.
18Yes, the assumption is being taken that the customer drove the vehicle during
Question: Does the extension to May 15 for vehicle registrations applies to pro rated
vehicles travelling outside Alberta?
Answer: All vehicle registrations (includes fleet and prorate) that expire between
March 17 and May 14, have until May 15, 2020 to renew their registration. Any IRP
carrier that requests a modification to the registration must attend a registry agent to
process the supplement.
Question: A customer needs their Audit Control Number (ACN#) on the back of their
Driver’s Licence to access the provincial Emergency Isolation Support program and
must wait until they get their licence in the mail. Is there anything we can do to help
the customer access their benefits quicker?
Answer: [NOTE: The Alberta Emergency Program is now closed for applications].
The only way for an Albertan to know their ACN# is to have a physical Alberta DL or
ID card. Albertans who just completed an operator service must wait for their card in
the mail.
Alberta Registries and Alberta Registry Agents will not provide this number to
Albertans from the MOVES database. No exceptions.
Albertans with questions related to the ACN# requirement for the emergency
isolation support program, can direct these questions to the MyAlberta Digital ID
(MADI) business area by calling: Alberta Connects at 310-4455, open 7 days a
week from 8 am to 8 pm. They ask Albertans to please be patient as call volumes
may be high. Additional information can be found at:
https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-isolation-support.aspx
Question: The local registry is closed, how does a new car owner register their
vehicle?
New car owners can use in-transit permits until May 15th.
Question: My local police station is closed and I can’t get a police check for a new
employee, what do I do?
GAM policy 2.01 already identifies an exception process (excerpt listed next page)
and allows third-party police checks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we will
temporarily extended the validity of third party PIC’s to 90 days and require a PIC
obtained directly through a police agency within Canada within 90 days of
submission of the third party record check. SA will post this temporary exception of
RAnet.
19Alberta Justice and Solicitor General has confirmed with the RCMP that
detachments are still providing criminal record checks and, if required,
fingerprinting, for employment purposes. However, due to staffing levels and
concerns for the health of detachment staff, precautions may have been put in
place, such as buzzing for access, pre-scheduled appoints and wearing protective
masks. In most instances, you will not receive your criminal record check on the
same day as detachments try to balance public safety needs and administrative
responsibilities. Both Calgary and Edmonton Police Services are offering online
police checks.
Delays in Obtaining a PIC
In the event that there are delays in the policing agency providing a PIC
and employment needs to start before that PIC may be obtained, a
record check indicating no records exist may be submitted from a third
party agency.
A registry agent must:
• Submit a record check indicating no records exist from a third
party agency dated within the last 60 days.
and
• Submit a PIC obtained directly through a police agency within
Canada within 60 days of submission of the third party record
check.
Question: What is the procedure with Service Alberta for employees who have been
laid off and then rehired? Do we have to let them know and do they need to redo all
the paper work (FOIP, Police check etc.)?
General Administration Manual (GAM) policy 2.07 requires all terminations to be
immediately reported as well as absences longer than 60 days to be reported to
Service Alberta. Currently when registry agent personnel are returning from an
absence longer than 60 days they must complete the Authentication Requirements
and submit an authentication package to Service Alberta. Due to the COVID-19
pandemic we are going to extend the requirement to report extended absences
from 60 days to 90 days as well as extend the re-enrollment of registry agent
personnel returning from an absence longer than 60 days to 90 days. We will post
this temporary exception of RAnet.
205. Alberta Transportation Updates
5.1 Road testing
Alberta Transportation has expanded acceptance for online applications for a
limited number of commercial Class 1 to 4 and passenger/Class 5 Advanced road
tests (not Graduated Drivers Licenses) for healthcare workers.
Testing locations have also been expanded beyond Calgary and Edmonton to six
additional communities: Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie,
Lloydminster and Fort McMurray.
Test volumes will still be limited and will be in-vehicle with personal
protective material (PPE), in a manner approved by Occupational Health and
Safety and Alberta Health.
Road testing will be resuming this month. The approximate timeline is as
follows:
o June 23rd: Drivers who had their road tests cancelled due to COVID-19
will be contacted by Alberta Transportation to rebook their tests.
o June 30th: Road testing will relaunch in Alberta and the general public will
use the online scheduler, ARTS, to book their road tests (the same
booking procedure as before).
Important Road Test Resumption Information:
o Alberta Transportation will contact any clients who need to rebook due to
a COVID cancellation.
o The Alberta Transportation call center is still open. Clients are able to call
(780) 427-8230 (or first dial 310-0000 toll free anywhere in Alberta)
8:15a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30p.m. Monday to Friday (except for
statutory holidays)
o The Alberta Transportation scheduling team will do their best to assign
road tests to all registry locations that previously had testing. There are
many more constraints to scheduling like longer road tests times, personal
protective equipment (PPE) availability, and modified registry hours to
consider.
o Due to OHS and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements road
tests will take approximately 30 minutes longer to conduct per test.
o Road test clients will have to sign a waiver and release at the time of their
road test.
o Road test clients will be required to supply and wear their own PPE in
order to have a test completed. They will be informed of the requirements
by Alberta Transportation prior to their test.
Meeting Occupational Health and Safety Requirements and Applying PPE Extends
Road Test Duration
21All road tests will take longer to complete due to the new OHS requirements,
disinfecting and applying PPE. For example, and Class 5B road test will now take
55 minutes instead of 30 minutes.
As a registry agent, you should be prepared for the number of road test
appointments available to be greatly reduced. We anticipate that the number of
road test appointments available for booking will increase as the number of
constraints decrease (OHS requirements, PPE application, etc.).
Alberta Transportation will begin accepting applications for these limited number of
road tests shortly. More details are available on RAnet.
5.2 Medical Evaluation
Alberta Transportation has extended the timeline to 90 days for most drivers
requiring a medical evaluation to complete their medical form when applying for or
renewing their licence. This will reduce the current strain on the health-care system.
Medically high-risk drivers will still be required to present their medical evaluation at
the time of their application or renewal.
6. Government of Alberta measures to address COVID-19
6.1 Phased re-launched strategy
As of May 14th, some non-essential businesses are allowed to re-open with infection
prevention controls. Calgary and Brooks have a different re-opening schedule than
the rest of the province because of higher active case volumes. For more
information visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-relaunch-strategy.aspx.
226.2 Financial and other support for Albertans:
• Utility payment holiday
• Residential, farm, and small commercial customers can defer bill payments
for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off from these services
during this time of crisis.
• This will cover electricity and natural gas, regardless of the service provider.
• Student loans repayment holiday
The government will implement a six-month, interest-free moratorium on Alberta
student loan payments for all individuals who are in the process of repaying
these loans.
• Education property tax freeze
The government will immediately cancel the decision made in Budget 2020 and
will freeze education property taxes at last year’s level.
• 14-day Job-protected leave
Changes to the Employment Standards Code will allow full and part-time
employees to take 14 days of job-protected leave if they are:
• required to self-isolate
• caring for a child or dependent adult that is required to self isolate
To be eligible, employees:
• will not be required to have a medical note
• do not need to have worked for an employer for 90 days
This leave covers the 14-day self-isolation period recommended by Alberta’s
chief medical officer. This leave may be extended if the advice of the chief
medical officer changes. The leave does not apply to self-employed individuals
or contractors.
• 90-day protected leave for employees caring for children
Employees caring for children affected by school and daycare closures or ill or
self-isolated family members due to COVID-19 will have access to unpaid job
protected leave. The 90-day employment requirement is waived and leave
length is flexible.
23• Emergency Isolation Support: $50 million [THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED]
This will be a temporary program for working adult Albertans who must self
isolate because they meet the Government of Alberta’s published criteria for
self-isolation, including persons who are the sole caregiver for a dependent who
must self-isolate because they meet the public health criteria, and who will not
have another source of pay or compensation while they are self isolated.
It will be distributed in a one time payment of $1,146 payment instalment and
will bridge the gap until the federal emergency payments begin in April.
6.3 Financial and other support for employers
• Relaunch grants for businesses
The Government of Alberta announced that they will provide grants of up to
$5000 for eligible businesses to offset a portion of their re-launch costs.
Businesses can apply for 15% of their pre-COVID-19 revenue, up to a
maximum of $5000.
Eligibility requirements are as follows:
o Businesses that were ordered to close or curtail operations as a result of
public health orders; and
o Be able to show a revenue reduction of at least 50% in April and/or May
2020 because of public health orders.
For more detailed eligibility information and revenue calculations please visit
this link.
You can apply for the funding starting June 29th at this link:
http://www.alberta.ca/sme-relaunch-grant.aspx. You must have a My Alberta
Digital ID to apply. If you don’t already have an account you can create on
here: https://account.alberta.ca/.
To manage volume, applications are being accepted by region on the following
dates:
June 29 – North (outside urban areas)
June 30 – South (outside urban areas)
July 1 – Urban (Grand Prairie, Fort McMurray, Cold Lake,
Lloydminster, Leduc, Wetaskiwin, Camrose, Red Deer, Airdrie,
Medicine Hat, Lethbridge)
July 2 -Calgary
July 3 – Edmonton
24 July 4 – anyone may apply to the program until it closes.
The program will close on August 31, 2020 or four weeks following the start of
phase 3 re-opening, whichever is later.
• Commercial rent freeze and bans on evictions
The Government of Alberta introduced legislation to ensure commercial tenant
will not face rent increases or be evicted for non-payment of rent due to the
COVID-19 health emergency to address the shortfalls in the Canada
Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program. Bill 23 and the upcoming
regulation will:
o protect eligible commercial tenants from having their leases terminated if
they can’t pay rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
o prevent landlords from raising rent and charging late fees and penalties on
missed rent
If passed, any late fees, penalties, or rent increases imposed on a commercial
tenant by their landlord between March 17, 2020 and August 31, 2020 would
need to be reimbursed.
Protections would apply to:
o commercial tenants with tenancy agreements eligible for the CECRA
program, but whose landlords have chosen not to participate
o commercial lease agreements where tenants have had to close their
business due to public health orders or have had their business revenue
decline by 25% or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
Tenants and landlords would need to work together to develop a rent payment
plan for missed payments. If a tenant’s actions violate any lease provisions
other than those covered by the Act, the tenant may be evicted or penalized in
accordance to the lease’s terms.
The legislation would not apply to evictions or lease terminations that
happened before the legislation was tabled on June 16, 2020.
More details will be posted here as they become available.
25• Temporarily Removing requirement of notice for changes to schedules and
shifts
The 24-hour written notice requirement for shift changes, and the two weeks’
notice for changes to work schedules for those under an averaging agreement
has been temporarily removed to improve employer flexibility. This will last as
long as the government deems it needed and the public health emergency
remains.
• Corporate income tax changes
Corporate income tax balances and instalment payments will be deferred from
March 19 until August 31, 2020 to increase employers’ access to cash so they
can pay employees, address debts and continue operations.
• Utility payment holiday
Farm and commercial customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill
payments for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of
the service provider.
• Banks and credit unions:
• Credit unions: Business members should contact their credit union directly
to work out a plan for their personal situation
• ATB Financial: Small business customers can:
apply for a payment deferral on loans and lines of credit for up to 6
months
access additional working capital
• Education property tax deferral for business
• Effective immediately, the government will defer education property tax for
businesses for six months.
• The government expects municipalities to set education property tax rates as
they normally would but defer collection. Deferred amounts will be repaid in
future tax years.
• The government encourages commercial landlords to pass on these savings
to their tenants through reduced or deferred payments. This will help
employers continue to manage their debts, pay their employees and stay in
business. o Businesses capable of paying their taxes in full are strongly
encouraged to do so. This will assist the province in being able to support
Albertans through this pandemic.
26• WCB premiums deferral for private sector businesses and support for small and
medium businesses
• Private sector employers can save money on their WCB premium payments
at a time when they need it most. These actions ensure the sustainability of
the workers’ compensation system and that injured workers continue to
receive the benefits and supports they need to return to work. o Private
sector employers will have immediate financial relief by deferring WCB
premiums until early 2021, effectively for one year.
• Employers who have already paid their WCB premium payment for 2020 are
eligible for a rebate or credit.
• For small and medium businesses, the government will cover 50 per cent of
the premium when it is due. o Large employers will also receive a break by
having their 2020 WCB premium payments deferred until 2021, at which time
their premiums will be due. A fact sheet about WCB can be found here:
• Vacation pay, leave or banked overtime
•
Employers and employees may consider using other available leaves
should an employee be required to self-isolate.
• Employees can request using their vacation pay or banked overtime, but
employers are not required to grant the request. Provincial employment
rules only require employers to provide vacation pay, vacation leave or pay
banked overtime within a year of it being earned.
• Employers can request employees voluntarily take vacation leave and/or use
their vacation pay or banked overtime but cannot force them to do so under
provincial employment rules.
• Other temporary changes to Employment Standard Code
• Removing the requirement to provide the group termination notice to
employees and unions when 50 or more employees are being terminated.
27• Streamlining the process for approvals related to modifying employment
standards so employers and workers can respond quicker to changing
conditions at the workplace due to the public health emergency.
• Both these measures will last as long as the government deems it needed
and the public health emergency remains.
6.4 Additional posters for your business
The Government of Alberta has created additional posters for your business that can
be found here. Information sheets are also available in a variety of languages here.
6.5 Enforcing measures to stop spread of COVID-19
To protect the health and safety of Albertans, law enforcement agencies have been
granted full authority to enforce public health orders and issue fines:
• Fine of up to $1,000 per violation; and
• Courts can administer fines of up to $100,000 for first time offences, and up to
$500,000 for repeat or more serious violations.
It is now mandatory for travellers returning from outside of Canada to self-isolate.
This legal requirement also applies to close contacts of confirmed COVID-19
cases, as well as to any individual with symptoms, such as a fever, cough, sore
throat or runny nose.
Public health orders subject to fines for violation include:
• Any individual who has travelled outside of Canada must go into mandatory
self-isolation for 14 days from their return, plus an additional 10 days from the
onset of any symptoms should they occur, whichever is longer.
• Any individual who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms must self-isolate for a
minimum of 10 days from the start of their symptoms, or until the symptoms
28resolve, whichever is longer. Symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of
breath, runny nose, or a sore throat.
• Any individual who has been identified by as a close contact of a person(s)
with COVID-19 must go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from the
date of last having been exposed to COVID-19, plus an additional 10 days
from the onset of any symptoms should they occur, whichever is longer.
• Mass gatherings must be limited to no more than 50 attendees.
• Access to public recreational facilities, private entertainment facilities, bars
and nightclubs is prohibited.
• Visitation to long-term care and other continuing care facilities is limited to
essential visitors only.
The Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services are working with local
enforcement agencies to manage complaints, which can be submitted online
here or if you cannot submit online, you can also call 1-833-415-9179 to submit a
complaint by leaving a message when prompted. Please only submit a complaint
once. Do not submit online and by phone.
6.6 Closure of non-essential businesses [NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES NOW
REOPENING]
The Government of Alberta has ordered the closure of non-essential businesses.
Registries have been listed as an essential service by the Government of Alberta.
Workplaces that have not been ordered to close can continue to have more than 15
workers on a worksite as long as those business maintain public health measures,
including two metre social distancing, hygiene enforcement and processes that
ensure that any person who is ill does not attend these spaces.
List of essential services can be found here. Registries are listed under public
administration and government.
6.7 Annual returns for corporations, cooperatives and organizations
In keeping with public gathering restrictions, deadlines are suspended for
corporations, partnerships, cooperatives and non-profit organizations to hold annual
general meetings and file their annual returns. The suspension is set to expire 60
days after the public health emergency is declared over.
These groups will remain active in Alberta, and will not have their corporations,
partnerships, cooperatives or non-profit organizations dissolved due to failing to file
annual returns.
For more information click here and there is a summary of the changes posted on
RAnet here.
29You can also read
