Notice to Members
April 1, 2020, 4:15 p.m.
Dear Colleagues,
We hope this message finds you in good health and that you’re managing the current environment as well as possible. As we previously shared, it is important to lean on each other during this difficult and unprecedented time.
- Chiropractic care remains limited to urgent, critical and emergency care. The public health order issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health on March 27 remains in effect. Chiropractic care remains limited to urgent, critical and emergency care only. Please review the Notice to Members from March 30, 2020, for more details.
- Take care of your mental health. The challenges of the current situation are many. We encourage you to make your mental health a priority during this time. Caring for yourself is essential as that allows you to take care of your loved ones. Here are some resources to consider:
- Leading through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. The COVID-19 crisis requires leadership from everyone. Joseph Grenny of Vital Smarts wrote, How to Lead a Company through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond, which is helping to inform the ACAC approach. As you are leaders in your clinics and communities, we thought you might find the article of interest.
- A return to practice plan in development. Given the indications that the virus will be present for some time, though not necessarily in pandemic form, the ACAC is working on a return to practice plan for members. This plan will be focused on two key elements of safety: physical and psychological.
Physical safety addresses the daily practices within a clinic that ensure safety for patients and clinic staff. Psychological safety addresses the anxiety and hyper vigilance that patients and staff will have towards returning to clinics, particularly when communal public health messages and practices are likely to still be in place.
This is a key priority for the ACAC, as this will be an essential support to your return to full practice.
- Frequently asked questions regarding the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Information regarding the CERB program is still emerging. Below are some frequently asked questions about the CERB program with answers provided by the CCA in consultation with Fasken Law. Please note these answers are current as of April 1, 2020. We will continue to update you if we receive further clarifying information.
- Can I work minimally, seeing emergency patients, and qualify for CERB?
The answer is yes. You must be able to illustrate that for 14 consecutive days in every 4-week period you are not working and the rest of the 4-week period you may earn some income. For example, if you are in a practice with more than one chiropractor, you can split seeing patients in alternate 2-week periods.
- Is there a cap of what I can make and still qualify for CERB?
At this time, the legislation does not have a cap on topping up your income, but regulations can be introduced at any time. Keep your additional income to a minimum and only see emergency patients.
- If I am in practise with my partner/spouse, can we both apply for CERB?
Yes. It is an individual benefit.
- Is CERB a taxable benefit?
Not at the point of payment but you must claim it in your taxes at the end of the year as income.
- Can I apply for the $40,000 loan for small businesses or any of the other emergency credit for small businesses?
Yes, the only restriction is you cannot apply for EI.
We hope this information is helpful. Be safe and be healthy, and we’ll connect with you again tomorrow.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Todd Halowski
Registrar
Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors
11203 - 70 Street NW
Edmonton, AB, T5B 1T1
P 780.420.0932 | F 780.425.6583
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