On November 20, 2013, the federal government registered Regulations Amending the Income Tax Regulations (Late Filing Penalty – Prescribed Information Returns). The regulatory amendment relates to the government’s Budget 2009 and subsequent legislative initiative (via Budget Implementation Act, 2009 amendments) to provide for a “separate, less severe, graduated penalty that would be applicable where ‘prescribed’…
Business Operation: Québec
Federal Government Proposes Priority Hiring for Injured Veterans Act (C-11)
On November 7, 2013, the federal government introduced Bill C-11, the Priority Hiring for Injured Veterans Act. If passed, this legislation would amend the Public Service Employment Act to establish a priority appointment over all other persons for certain members of the Canadian Forces who are released for medical reasons attributable to service, and who…
2014 EI Rates Set, Pension and Retirement Savings Limits Announced
Further to the federal government’s announcement in September, on November 2, 2013, HRSDC published a Resolution providing notice that the 2014 employment insurance (“EI”) premium rate for 2014 for residents of all provinces (with the exception of Québec) is maintained at $1.88 per $100 of insurable earnings. The 2014 EI premium rate for Québec residents is…
2013 Federal Budget No. 2 (Bill C-4)
On October 22, 2013, the federal government introduced the Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 2, omnibus legislation that would, if passed, implement measures from the Economic Action Plan 2013 (the 2013 Budget), as well as certain previously announced tax measures. Budget Bill items of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators…
Federal Government Announces Budget Bill No. 2
On October 22, 2013, the federal government announced the introduction of the Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 2. The Bill would, if passed, implement key measures from Economic Action Plan 2013 (the Budget), as well as certain previously announced tax measures. Among other things, the Bill would: freeze Employment Insurance premium rates for three…
The Latest Word on Restrictive Covenants from the Supreme Court of Canada
The law on restrictive covenants is all about context. Restrictive covenants typically arise in a sale of a business agreement or an employment contract. If you are drafting a restrictive covenant or determining whether a covenant is enforceable, you must be aware of the context because the applicable legal principles vary based on the context….
Parliament Prorogues until October 16th
Upon the request of the Prime Minister, the Governor General officially prorogued Parliament today. The next session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on October 16, 2013, with a Speech from the Throne. As described in our previous post – Parliament to be Prorogued – all Government Bills have “died on the Order Paper,” and…
Government Announces Three-Year EI Premium Freeze
On September 9, 2013, the federal Government announced that it would be cancelling its planned EI premium hike for 2014. Instead, EI premiums will be frozen at the 2013 level of $1.88 per $100 of insurable earnings. The Government also stated that the rate would not exceed $1.88 for 2015 or 2016. On the same date,…
Parliament to be Prorogued
The Prime Minister has announced that he will ask the Governor General to prorogue Parliament until October 2013. Parliament was previously set to resume sitting on September 16, 2013. With prorogation, the unfinished business of Parliament will “die” on the Order Paper, including government bills which have not yet received Royal Assent. These bills can…
Québec Publishes Private Sector Solvency Deficiency Draft Regulation for Comment
On July 10, 2013, the Québec government published a draft regulation made under the Supplemental Pension Plans Act (“Act”) entitled “Pension plans in the private sector – New relief measures for the funding of solvency deficiencies” (“Draft Regulation”). The Draft Regulation offers relief measures for the funding of deficiencies in private sector defined benefit plans…