On June 26, 2013, the Senate adopted a motion to amend Bill C-377, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (requirements for labour organizations). As previously reported, Bill C-377 is a private member’s bill which, if passed, will amend the Income Tax Act to require labour organizations to disclose certain prescribed information. Amendments adopted…
Business Operation: Ontario
Draft Regulation under Sections 80 and 81 of the PBA Posted for Comment
On July 2, 2013, the Ontario government posted a draft regulation made under the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”) regarding pension transfers under sections 80 and 81 of the Act. A summary of the draft regulation has also been posted. Approval of the draft regulation is required before the amendments to sections 80 and 81 of…
PBA Regulatory Amendment Will Change Locked-In Retirement Fund Withdrawal Process
On June 20, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 185/13 amending Regulation 909 (General) made under the Pension Benefits Act. As announced by the government, this amendment to Regulation 909 will permit individuals to apply to their financial institutions for financial hardship withdrawals of their locked-in retirement funds, rather than to the Superintendent of…
Time Period for Filing Solvency Funding Relief Reports Extended
On June 20, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 186/13 amending O. Reg. 177/11 (as amended by O. Reg. 330/12) which amended Regulation 909 (General) made under the Pension Benefits Act. As previously reported, the definition of “solvency concerns” sets out the circumstances under which defined benefit pension plans are required to file annual actuarial…
Access to Information Act/Privacy Act Regulatory Amendments Update Schedules of Designated Investigative Bodies
On May 31, 2013, the federal government registered Regulations Amending the Access to Information Regulations made under the Access to Information Act. These Regulations amend Schedule I (Investigative Bodies) of the Access to Information Regulations to delete the names of investigative bodies that are no longer in existence and to replace the name of one…
Significant decision on establishing “prima facie discrimination” rendered by the Court of Appeal for Ontario
The Court of Appeal for Ontario has rendered a significant decision in Peel Law Association v. Pieters regarding the test for establishing a prima facie case of discrimination. The Court upheld a finding of the HRTO that race and colour were factors in the questioning by a librarian of three applicants (two lawyers and a…
Amendment to Sick Leave Credits and Sick Leave Credit Gratuities Regulation Filed
On June 19, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 184/13, amending O. Reg. 1/13 (Sick Leave Credits and Sick Leave Credit Gratuities) made under the Education Act. O. Reg.1/13, as amended, gives regulatory effect to the sick leave provisions in the various recent Memoranda of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and teachers’ federations….
House of Commons Adjourns until September 16, 2013
On Wednesday June 19, 2013, the federal House of Commons adjourned until Monday September 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
Long-Term Care Homes Act Regulatory Amendment Proposed
The Ontario government has proposed a regulatory amendment to O. Reg. 79/10 made under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007. The proposed amendment would permit nursing students to administer drugs in long-term care homes under the supervision of a registered nurse or registered practical nurse, in accordance with certain conditions. Any comments on the proposed…
Employment Standards Blitzes Announced for Ontario Workplaces
The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced that it will conduct province-wide blitzes under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“Act”) as a proactive enforcement measure to ensure compliance with the Act. From May 2013 to August 2013, the blitzes will focus on vulnerable workers in certain sectors including manufacturing and distribution, construction and recreation. From October…