On September 14, 2012, the 2013 employment insurance premium rate for residents of all provinces (with the exception of Québec) was set at $1.88 per $100 of insurable earnings by resolution of the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board. The 2013 employment insurance premium rate for Québec residents was set at $1.52 per $100 of insurable…
Business Operation: Québec
2013 Basic Rate Set By Superintendent of Financial Institutions
On September 7, 2012, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions set the basic rate for the Office year beginning on April 1, 2013 at $10.00, pursuant to the Assessment of Pension Plans Regulations. This rate applies to pension plans with a year-end between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2013 and for newly…
Federal Government Introduces Helping Families in Need Act
On September 20, 2012, the federal government introduced Bill C-44, the Helping Families in Need Act, legislation that would, if passed, amend (among other things) both the Employment Insurance Act (“EI Act”) and the Canada Labour Code as follows: the EI Act will provide for a new specified sickness benefit for parents receiving EI parental…
Québec VRSPs Bill Expires on Order Paper
As previously reported, in its March 2012 Budget the Québec government signalled its commitment to establish Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans (“VRSPs”), mandatory group pension plans that all employers in Québec employing at least five employees would have been required to implement, if they did not already provide a retirement savings plan for employees. The VRSPs…
Hicks Morley Information and Privacy Post – 2011/2012
Dear Friends: It’s late August 2012, and here’s what’s on our minds. Our Information and Privacy Post is back. This edition contains 61 case summaries relating to the protection of confidential business information, electronic evidence, freedom of information, privacy, privilege and production. It has been a remarkable year. Canadian privacy law, in particular, has made…
Ministry of Finance Publishes New Income Tax Proposals For Public Commentary
On August 14, 2012, the Ministry of Finance published new legislative proposals relating to the Income Tax Act and Regulations for public commentary. The proposals, which are designed to implement a range of Budget-related initiatives announced by the federal government earlier this year, include measures that would, if adopted, include an employer’s contributions to a…
Federal Government Publishes Pooled Registered Pension Plan Regulations
On August 10, 2012, the federal government published proposed regulations to support the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act (“PRPP Act”). The Pooled Registered Pension Plan Regulations provide supporting details for the provisions of the PRPP Act respecting: the licensing conditions for a Pooled Registered Pension Plan (“PRPP”) administrator; the management and investment of funds in…
Federal Government Creates Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
Further to its Economic Action Plan 2012, the federal government has announced the creation of a Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The Panel has been charged with identifying private sector successes and best practices regarding labour market participation of persons with disabilities. It will also identify barriers and disincentives to employment…
House of Commons Adjourns Until September 17, 2012
On Thursday, June 21, 2012, the federal House of Commons adjourned until 11:00 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, September 17, 2012.
EI Regulations Giving Effect to Federal Budget 2012 Initiatives Now in Force
On June 20, 2012, Regulations Amending The Employment Insurance Regulations (“Regulations”) were registered and are now in force. Pilot Project No. 14, Pilot Project for Calculating Benefit Rate Based on Claimant’s 14 Highest Weeks of Insurance Earnings (Best 14 Weeks), previously scheduled to end on June 23, 2012, is extended by the Regulations and will…