The consequences of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
which was declared a worldwide pandemic last week by the
World Health Organization, can already be seen on the global
economic stage. Canadian businesses will need to be responsive to
new circumstances as the full impact of COVID-19 and government
responses to COVID-19 continue to evolve. We can safely anticipate
continued and, in some cases, prolonged disruptions to workforce
availability and supply chain operations.
In order to appropriately respond to these disruptions,
businesses need to understand their contractual obligations to
their customers, suppliers, partners and any other parties with
which they do business.