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Creative BC has facilitated the creation of the BC Motion Picture Industry COVID-19 Safety Guidelines document, which ACFC recommends all Members and Permittees take a moment to read. This document is meant to help guide employers, supervisors, and workers in creating and implementing individual safety plans for each production.

While the document speaks to actions that can be taken in the work place, ACFC would like to remind you that social distancing, personal hygiene, and limiting exposure to larger groups should continue to be best practices at all times, not just at places of work. One outbreak on any set could do major damage to our entire industry. A safe set is everyone’s responsibility. Please continue to have this in mind when your work day concludes.

Click here for the BC Motion Picture Industry Best Practices COVID-19 Safety Guidelines PDF

Currently the film shut down in BC is completely voluntary, no order from Worksafe, or the health authority has been issued telling Producers to shut down. However, in order to return to operations productions must now have a COVID-19 response plan in place.

Crew should be aware:

• It is the responsibility of the Employer, Supervisors and Employees to, read, be familiar with and follow the guidelines of each production.
• Individual Producer’s COVID-19 plans should be made available and posted for easy access by Crew and Supervisors.
• Individual Producer’s COVID-19 plans should take into account the Worksafe motion picture industry return to operation guidelines, found here: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/covid-19-returning-safe-operation/motion-picture-television-production

In addition to the Worksafe guideline for return to operation, Creative BC has been facilitating the creation of a more comprehensive set of documents as a guideline for employers to use when creating a COVID-19 plan for the work place. This document will contain an overall guide for the entire industry, as well as recommendations tailored to specific departments and workplaces common to the motion picture industry. ACFC West will update the website with a link when this document is ready.

ACFC West will continue to review our signed producers return to work plans on an ongoing basis, and work to ensure the risk of infection to all crew is minimized.

ACFC West is advising our Craft Service/First Aid professionals about the new WorkSafeBC protocols for COVID-19. Please click on the following link to be directed the WorkSafeBC website.

Occupational First Aid Attendants (OFAA) protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic: A guide for employers and OFAA

This information sheet provides information to employers and occupational first aid attendants on safely treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides additional precautions to first aid attendants on following the public health directives—including physical distancing, hand hygiene, and sanitization—while treating a patient. In this resource, you can also review these protocols used in three first aid scenarios, as well as link to further COVID-19 health and safety resources.

Click here for the PDF version

To all ACFC West Hair and Make-up professionals 

Barbicide.com is offering FREE certification in regards to keeping up-to-date with safe sanitization and work practices.

Please click on the following links to be directed to the Barbicide website.

Barbicide COVID-19 certification
Barbicide certification 

COVID – 19  UPDATE: MAY 7

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR SLOW REOPENING OF ECONOMY:

The following link takes you to a comprehensive discussion of reopening business across BC.  It discusses what employers will be required to do.  Currently, the Employers’ Associations, Unions, Guilds and industry representative bodies (MPPIA) are working together to create a return to work strategy.  The timeline as to when the industry can get back to work is yet to be established but we will announce soft dates as soon as we have an idea as to when that might be. 

Please take the time to review the BC government recovery plan:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan

Please Also Remember to review the following benefits to determine if you qualify.  If you do, we urge you to apply if you haven’t already

1. BC Emergency Benefit for Workers – Please click on the following link to apply for the one-time $1000.00 supplement.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/covid-19-financial-supports/emergency-benefit-workers#find-out-eligibility

2. BC Government Temporary Rental Supplement – To apply, go to

https://bctrs.bchousing.org/

3. REVISED: CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT (CERB)

All of the following information is more clearly particularized on the FEDERAL government webpage here: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

4. THE PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN:

All of the following information is more clearly particularized on the BC government webpage here: 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

Please continue to check back regularly for updates as more information becomes available.

Click here for the PDF version.

This week is Mental Health Week in Canada.

We’ve all spent the past several weeks in crisis management mode, reeling from changes coming faster than we can process. Now we’re moving into the next phase of this pandemic, and working out what that is. What that looks like for our industry, and the way we live our lives, is uncertain, and uncertainty is hard to manage, even at the best of times. A recent survey [http://angusreid.org/covid19-mental-health/] shows half of Canadians feel their mental health has suffered in recent weeks.

It’s okay to not be at your best in the middle of all this. Actually, it’s to be expected.

Calltime Mental Health has created a Coping with COVID-19 web page. It includes union Member and Employee Assistance Program information as well as links to publicly available resources. [https://www.calltimementalhealth.com/coping-with-covid19]

More than ever, we need each other, even at a distance. Calltime Mental Health is calling on our community to reach out and connect with one another in our Calltime Connect initiative. Call or text that friend or co-worker you haven’t talked to in too long. Make a habit of reaching out to a different person every day. Not to solve problems, not to give advice. Just to connect, human to human. To say hello and how are you, and trade stories of how we’re all getting through this bewildering time, together. Apart but not alone. Distant but connected.

And if you’re struggling with anxiety of feeling overwhelmed, reach out for help. We’ll get through this, together.

www.calltimementalhealth.com

1. BC Government Temporary Rental Supplement is now open.
To apply, go to BC Temporary Rental Supplement online Application.

2. REVISED: CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT (CERB)
All of the following information is more clearly particularized on the FEDERAL government webpage here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

What is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit?
If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

Who is eligible?
The benefit will be available to workers:
Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits;
Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income.

Read through the Government of Canada page noted above and at the bottom of the page there will be a section called “Get Started”. Answer the questions and you will be directed to the best application stream for your particular circumstances; either through Service Canada, or the Canada Revenue Agency.

3. THE PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN:
All of the following information is more clearly particularized on the BC government webpage here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

Housing:
Temporary rental supplement; as noted at the beginning of this update.
Halting Evictions
Freezing Rents
Hydro: payment deferral or access grants

Finances:
One time Emergency Benefit for Workers
Deferral, Delay or Reduction of some taxes

Transportation:
ICBC insurance renewals can now be done by phone or email
ICBC customers payment deferral for up to 90 days
BC Transit fares and passes are not required.
TransLink fares and passes are not required
Drive BC travel restrictions for highways, rest areas, and borders

Please see the link noted above to view the entire provincial plan.

Please continue to check back regularly for updates as more information becomes available.

Click here for PDF version of update.

UPDATE: March 27, 2020
1. MANAGING ANXIETY DURING THIS STRESSFUL TIME:
https://www.calltimementalhealth.com/blog/2020/3/26/winning-at-mental-health-tips-on-managing-anxiety-during-covid-19

2. CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT (CERB) REPLACES THE EMERGENCY CARE BENEFIT AND THE EMERGENCY SUPPORT BENEFIT.
All of the following information is more clearly particularized on the FEDERAL government webpage here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/introduces-canada-emergency-response-benefit-to-help-workers-and-businesses.html

What is this new benefit?
The Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit have been merged into the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The application form will be available through a Government of Canada portal on April 6. The CERB has also been better integrated with Employment Insurance to allow workers to apply for benefits through a single window.

Who is covered by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit?
This new benefit will cover people who have lost their job, people who are sick or quarantined, and parents who must stay home without pay to care for children, the same as the two previously announced benefits. The new CERB also includes workers who have no income due to the COVID-19 slowdown, but who haven’t yet been officially laid off. It will cover employees, contract workers, and self-employed workers. To qualify, applicants must have had $5,000 in employment income, self-employment income, or maternity or parental leave benefits for 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day they make the application.

How much will I get?
The CERB will pay out $2,000 per month for the next 4 months, backdated to March 15th.

Where can I apply?
The application form will be available on April 6. If you have already applied for EI, you do not need to also apply for this new benefit, your claim will be automatically moved over to the CERB and you will receive the 16-week benefit. If needed, you can use your hours to apply for EI benefits after you have exhausted CERB benefits.

You can apply in one of these three ways:
• by accessing it on your CRA MyAccount secure portal;
• by accessing it from your secure My Service Canada Account; or
• by calling a toll free number equipped with an automated application process.

What if I’ve already been laid off and applied for EI?
If you’ve already applied for EI you do not need to reapply for the CERB. Your claim will be automatically moved over to the CERB, and benefits paid from this program first. If needed, you can use your hours to apply for EI benefits after you have exhausted CERB benefits.

What if I don’t qualify for EI?
You can qualify for the CERB if you had $5,000 in employment income, self-employment income, or maternity or parental leave benefits for 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day you make the application.

When will I get benefits?
The application is expected to be available April 6. Benefits should be delivered 10 days after you submit your application form. The earliest you could receive benefits through direct deposit is April 16th (or slightly later if by mail).

What if I’m already receiving EI Benefits?
You will continue to receive your EI benefits. If your EI benefits end before October 3rd, 2020, and you are still unable to return to work, you can apply to the CERB once your EI benefits run out.

What if I continue to be sick or unemployed after October 3, 2020?
If you have enough EI insurable hours, you will still be able to access your normal EI benefits after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.

3. THE PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN:
All of the following information is more clearly particularized on the BC government webpage here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

Housing:
• Temporary rental supplement
• Halting Evictions
• Freezing Rents
• Hydro: payment deferral or access grants

Finances:
• One time Emergency Benefit for Workers
• Deferral, Delay or Reduction of some taxes

Transportation:
• ICBC insurance renewals can now be done by phone or email
• ICBC customers payment deferral for up to 90 days
• BC Transit fares and passes are not required.
• TransLink fares and passes are not required
• Drive BC travel restrictions for highways, rest areas, and borders

Please see the link noted above to view the entire provincial plan.

Please continue to check back regularly for updates as more information becomes available.

PDF version available here.

The Government of Canada has created a COVID-19 information and resources portal which includes updates, symptoms and treatments, being prepared, and Canada’s response to the pandemic. There is additional information on this page and we encourage you to stay informed.

Please click here to be directed to their information webpage. 

UPDATE: March 19, 2020

FORCE MAJEURE AND SEVERANCE:

Most film contracts contain a ‘Force Majeure’ clause. This is present in the CMPA-BC – ACFC West, Local 2020 Unifor Collective Agreement. It states the following:
16.03 Act of God or Force Majeure
(a) The Producer or the Technician may terminate a Deal Memorandum without any penalty or liability in any case where the contract cannot be performed because of an Act of God or Force Majeure.

(b) The Producer, Technician or the Union may grieve the termination of a Technician’s Deal Memorandum because of an Act of God or Force Majeure under Article 16.03(a) through the procedures set out in this Agreement and the burden of proving that the termination was because of an alleged Act of God or Force Majeure shall be on the person terminating the Deal Memorandum.

Force majeure refers to a clause that is included in contracts to remove liability for natural and unavoidable catastrophes that interrupt the expected course of events and restrict participants from fulfilling obligations. As such, severance obligations are removed from the employer’s responsibility due to the extraordinary events surrounding COVID-19.

ACFC MEMBERS ENROLLED IN OUR BLUE CROSS PLAN:

Our Pacific Blue Cross medical plan day bank is structured on a quarterly basis. In simple terms, days worked in a quarter fund a worker’s coverage during the next quarter. The current quarter ends on midnight, March 31st, 2020. The next day bank quarter commences April 1st, 2020. Given the very challenging circumstances facing workers, we have allocated resources such that anyone currently on the plan will remain on the plan, at least through the end of April (regardless of the number of days in an individual’s day bank). This policy will be in effect for the month of April and reviewed thereafter on a monthly basis.

GOVERNMENT MEASURES FOR WORKERS:

The anticipated Canadian government economic measures which form this stage of its COVID-19 Economic Response Plan have been announced. This is welcome news for so many who are facing economic uncertainty. Please click here to access the Department of Finance’s Announcement.

The following information is a summary of the federal government’s plan:

Temporary Income Support:
• As previously announced; effective March 15, the one-week waiting period for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits will be waived for all qualifying individuals in imposed quarantine due to COVID-19. A medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits will NOT be required.

• Two New Income Support Programs Announced. These programs are designed to support individuals who are not eligible for EI benefits, such as independent contractors and self-employed individuals; Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.

Other Federal Assistance: TAX DEFERRAL

The Canada Revenue Agency will defer the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals. The return filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020. However, the Agency encourages individuals who expect to receive benefits under the GSTC or the Canada Child Benefit not to delay the filing of their return to ensure their entitlements for the 2020-21 benefit year are properly determined.

The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all taxpayers to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.

Please continue to check back regularly for updates as more information becomes available.

PDF version of COVID-19 update available here.