Ontario Proposes Integrated Accessibility Regulation Under AODA

On September 2, 2010, the Ontario government published the proposed integrated accessibility regulation (“IAR”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) for public review and commentary. As previously reported, the IAR initiative combines the information and communications, employment and transportation standards into a single, integrated regulation, intended to make them “more flexible”…

Federal Government Releases Consultation Draft of Legislative Tax Proposals

The Department of Finance released draft legislative proposals in July and August of 2010 to implement a variety of tax measures, including those first outlined in its 2010 Budget along with several previously announced tax initiatives, for public consultation. The proposals outline significant changes to the tax rules applicable to employee stock options that will:…

Ontario to Introduce Phase II Pension Reforms

On August 24, 2010, the Ontario government announced that further pension reforms to be tabled this fall will address almost 40 recommendations made by the Expert Commission on Pensions. The announcement indicates that this “broad package of pension reforms” will include: modifications to the funding requirements for multi-employer pension plans and jointly sponsored pension plans,…

Section 21 of Ontario’s Early Learning Legislation Now Into Force

The amendments outlined in section 21 of Bill 242, the Full-Day Early Learning Statute Amendment Act, 2010, were proclaimed in force effective August 16, 2010. Section 21 adds PART X.3 (Designated Early Childhood Educators – Induction, Performance Appraisal and Reporting Obligations) to the Education Act (sections 277.46 to 277.52). As previously reported, the amendments outlined…

Federal Government Introduces New Temporary Foreign Worker Regulations

On August 18, 2010, the federal government published new regulations applicable to temporary foreign workers (“TFWs”) under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.  The Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Temporary Foreign Workers) are designed to protect TFWs and minimize their exploitation by employers and third-party agents by amending the Immigration and Refugee…

New Full-Day Learning, ECE Appointment Regulations Filed

On August 18, 2010, the Ontario government published the following regulation and regulatory amendments under the Education Act: O. Reg. 321/10 (Extended Day Programs), amending O. Reg. 225/10, which in part provides for board approval of delegation by a principal and the appointment of Early Childhood Educators (“ECEs”); O. Reg. 322/10 (Letter of Permission –…

New Quality Assurance Regulations Filed for Defined Service Agencies

On August 7, 2010, the Ontario government published a regulation under the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008, which is not yet in force. O. Reg. 299/10 establishes comprehensive quality assurance measures for defined service agencies. These measures specifically relate to human resources practices, such as…

Ontario Announces Pension Funding Relief for University Sector

On August 5, 2010, the Ontario government announced that it will provide universities with temporary solvency funding relief. The temporary funding relief will be provided through two stages: a temporary period during which each university must develop a sustainability plan for its pension plans and, if the sustainability plan is acceptable to the government, an…

Hicks Morley Information and Privacy Post – Summer 2010

Welcome to the Summer 2010 Quarterly Edition of the Hicks Morley Information and Privacy Post! This edition is packed with the most up-to-date case law developments in privacy, freedom of information, confidentiality and the law of production. Of note is the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent pronouncement on access to information under Ontario’s Freedom of…