New Education Act Regulation Filed – Supervised Alternative Learning, Excusals

On September 29, 2010, the Ontario government published O. Reg. 374/10 under the Education Act, which sets out the rules applicable to supervised alternative learning and other excusals from attendance at school. O. Reg. 374/10 revokes Regulation 308 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990, and will come into force on February 1, 2011.  

WSIB Announces Funding Review of Unfunded Liability

On September 30, 2010, the Ontario government announced that Harry Arthurs will chair the Funding Review of the unfunded liability of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. As announced by the WSIB on the same date, the year-long Funding Review will gather input from experts and stakeholders regarding policy issues relating to the financial future…

Federal Government Introduces Sustaining Canada’s Economic Recovery Act

On September 30, 2010, the federal government introduced Bill C-47, the Sustaining Canada’s Economic Recovery Act. As outlined in the government announcement, Bill C-47 is omnibus legislation and addresses numerous measures of interest to employers including: income tax reforms relating to stock option plans and employee life and health trusts as outlined in the March…

Federal Government to Set Limits On EI Premium Rate Increase for 2011

On September 30, 2010, the federal government announced plans to limit the Employment Insurance (“EI”) maximum premium rate increase for 2011 to five cents per $100 of insurable earnings, and ten cents per $100 of insurable earnings for subsequent years. The rate increase is set by the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board, which by November…

FSCO Publishes FAQ on Surplus Distribution for Full or Partial Plan Wind Ups

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (“FSCO”) updated its long-running online “FAQ” for pension plan administrators to set out FSCO’s position on surplus distribution on full or partial plan wind ups in light of recent amendments to the Pension Benefits Act. A detailed discussion of the FAQ and FSCO’s position on this point is available…

New General Pension Regulation Amendments Filed

On September 17, 2010, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 367/10 under the Pension Benefits Act, amending Reg. 909 of R.R.O. 1990 (General). The amendments extend certain filing deadlines and funding schedules under the temporary solvency funding relief regulations for two university-sponsored pension plans. By way of background, Ontario’s temporary solvency funding relief regulations were…

New Education Act Regulation Filed – Audit Committees

On September 13, 2010, the Ontario government published a regulation setting out the rules applicable to audit committees established by district school boards under subsection 253.1(1) of the Education Act. O. Reg. 361/10 is now in force.