Federal Budget Bill Tabled, Changes To Temporary Foreign Worker Program Announced

On April 29, 2013, the federal government tabled Bill C-60, Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1, omnibus legislation giving effect to some of its Budget 2013 initiatives. In conjunction with the tabling of Bill C-60 and further to its Budget 2013 initiative to ensure that Canadians have first priority at job opportunities when they…

Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013 Passes Second Reading

On April 25, 2013, Bill 32, Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013, carried at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills. As previously reported, if passed Bill 32 would repeal the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario Act, 1990. Among other things, it would provide a framework…

Federal Social Security Tribunal Now Operational

On April 1, 2013, the federal Social Security Tribunal (“SST”) became operational. It creates a new appeals process for decisions made under the Employment Insurance Act (“EI Act”), the Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”) and the Old Age Security Act (“OAS Act”). The SST was enacted by the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act (“JGLPA”), omnibus legislation…

Certain Regulations Revoked with Coming Into Force of Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009

On April 16, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 135/13, revoking O. Reg. 573/99 and O. Reg. 222/10 made under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998. On the same day, O. Reg. 136/13 was filed, revoking O. Reg. 223/10 made under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act. O. Reg. 135/13 and O. Reg. 136/13 came…

PBA Regulation Relating to OTPP Filed

On April 11, 2013, O. Reg. 131/13, amending Regulation 909 (General) made under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act, was filed and came into force on that date. O. Reg. 131/13 amends subsection 47.7.2 (1) of Regulation 909 to add the following paragraph: 4. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, registered under the Act as number 0345785. As…

Ontario Introduces Security for Critical Facilities Legislation

On April 10, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 51, Security for Courts, Electricity Generating Facilities and Nuclear Facilities Act, 2013. If passed, Bill 51 would: Repeal the Public Works Protection Act; Amend the Police Services Act to establish powers that may be exercised by an authorized person relating to court security and to create…

Regulations under Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 Now in Force

On April 8, 2013, O. Reg. 421/12 (General), as amended by O. Reg. 130/13, made under the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 (“OCTAA”) came into force. O. Reg. 421/12 establishes certain exemptions under OCTAA and contains transitional provisions regarding, for example, certificates of qualification and statements of membership issued under either the…

Important Changes to the WSIB’s Appeals Program – What You Need to Know and Do

In February 2013, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) implemented its Modernized Appeals Program. The WSIB plans to reduce its backlog of cases through significant changes to the appeal process. This new program only applies to claims and does not apply to financial or revenue issues. Some of the key changes under the Modernized…

New EI Benefit Rate Calculation to Come Into Force April 7, 2013

On April 7, 2013, certain amendments to the Employment Insurance Act (“EI Act”) made by the federal government’s Budget 2012 legislation, Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, will come into force and create a new benefit rate calculation for employment insurance benefits. As of April 7, 2013, the calculation of the benefit rate of most…