As we reported in our January 2015 FTR Now, significant reforms to the general holiday pay provisions of Part III of the Canada Labour Code come into force effective March 16, 2015. Federally regulated employers are reminded that the amendments include the introduction of a new “holiday pay” formula and the elimination of certain qualifying requirements….
Business Operation: Alberta
Committee To Hold Public Hearings on ORPP Bill
The Standing Committee on Social Policy will hold public hearings in Toronto on Bill 56, the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan Act, 2015 (“ORPP Bill”) commencing March 23, 2015. Hearing dates will continue on March 24, March 30 and March 31, 2015. Interested persons who wish to be considered to make an oral presentation on Bill…
Supreme Court Expands “Freedom of Association” and Recognizes Right to Strike
In three decisions released in late January, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada has once again revisited, and expanded, the reach of section 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the “Charter“), which guarantees “freedom of association”. In two cases involving the RCMP, the Court held that the unique bargaining scheme imposed on…
Updated CRA Form For Direct Transfers Between Registered Plans
On December 24, 2014, the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) published a new electronic version of form T2151, “Direct Transfer of a Single Amount Under Subsection 147(19) or Section 147.3.” Deferred profit sharing plan trustees or registered pension plan administrators recording the direct transfer of a single amount for an applicant should ensure that the correct…
New CASL Provision May Have Impact On Bring Your Own Device Policies
Employers should be aware that a provision of Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (“CASL”) is coming into force on January 15, 2015 which may have an impact on employers’ bring your own devices (“BYOD”) policies. Section 8 of CASL prohibits a person from installing or “causing to be installed”, in the course of commercial activity, a computer…
Alberta Extends Important Pension Reform Deadlines
As we previously reported, Alberta’s new Employment Pension Plans Act (the “EPPA”) and the accompanying Employment Pension Plans Regulation (“EPPA Regulations”) came into force on September 1, 2014. The new EPPA and the EPPA Regulations completely overhauled the existing pension legislation in Alberta, requiring significant alterations to pension plan terms and administrative practices of pension…
Alberta Amends Deadlines Relating to EPPA Reforms
On December 18, 2014, the Alberta government implemented a number of amendments to its Employment Pension Plans Regulation (“EPPA Regulations”), which came into force on September 1, 2014. Among other matters, the amendments provide the following: Extended Deadline – File EPPA Plan Amendments by June 30, 2015. Pension plans registered in Alberta and plans registered elsewhere…
Significant Reforms to Federal Union Certification and Decertification Regime
On December 16, 2014, Bill C-525, Employees’ Voting Rights Act, received Royal Assent. This omnibus legislation amends the Canada Labour Code (“Code”), the Parliamentary Employee and Staff Relations Act and the Public Service Labour Relations Act to significantly reform the existing federal union certification and decertification processes under these three statutes. Of particular note to…
Ontario Releases ORPP Consultation Paper
On December 17, 2014, the Ontario government released a consultation paper inviting feedback on key design details and essential components of the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (“ORPP”), including: defining a “comparable workplace pension plan,” to clarify membership in the ORPP; a minimum earnings threshold below which low-income workers would be exempt from contributions; and retirement…
Deadline Extended for Alberta Pension Reform Plan Amendments
As discussed in our recent FTR Now, Alberta Introduces Significant Pension Reforms Effective September 1, 2014, the new Employment Pension Plans Act and accompanying Employment Pension Plans Regulation came into force on September 1, 2014. Pension plans registered in Alberta and plans registered elsewhere with members whose pension benefits are subject to Alberta pension legislation…