Now that you've put it that way, I understand why they are doing it online given all other public places & services are opening up / have already opened up.
This is really frustrating and anxiety-inducing.
Mine is a master's program and I run the risk of doing more than 50% of the program from home, if the Jan - April term is also online ( and therefore my entry will be non-essential ).
I think the Jan term will also be online seeing what's happening with Covid in the world. Canada will not want to risk allowing foreign students into the country in Jan if the global situation doesn't return back to normal.
This 50% limit issue will make me ineligible for PGWP after doing so much - topping my undergrad program, doing great in the GRE, applying to so many universities, getting those admits, then getting confused in choosing among them, then applying by myself and getting an approval for the study permit. After all this, covid comes to topple down people's whole lives.