On November 26, 2012, Bill C-45, Jobs and Growth Act, 2012, was reported back to the House of Commons from the Standing Committee on Finance without amendment. As previously reported, Bill C-45 is the federal government’s second omnibus Bill which, if passed, will give effect to certain initiatives contained in its Budget 2012. For more…
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PBA Letters of Credit Amendment Proclaimed Into Force
Section 3 of Schedule 44 to the Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012, has been proclaimed into force effective January 1, 2013. This section repeals and replaces 55.2(12) of the Pension and Benefits Act to provide that section 55.2, Letters of Credit, will not apply with respect to a jointly sponsored pension plan…
Contribution Limit for TFSA Raised $500
The federal government has announced that it will be raising the annual contribution limit for the Tax-Free Savings Account (“TFSA”) by $500, from the current $5000.00 to $5500.00, commencing in 2013.
Regulatory Proposal Issued Regarding School Bus Driver Requirements
On November 22, 2012, the Ontario government (Ministry of Education) issued a regulatory proposal regarding the requirement that school bus drivers have a clear criminal record check report in order to qualify for and hold the requisite driver’s licence. That requirement is currently found in a regulation under the Highway Traffic Act. Under this proposal,…
Regulation Filed under Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act
On November 22, 2012, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 385/12 made under the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996. It provides that the following amounts are to be considered “salary” for the purposes of the Act for each year, commencing in 2012: 1. An amount received by an employee as remuneration on a per…
Helping Families in Need Act Passes Third Reading
On November 20, 2012, Bill C-44, Helping Families in Need Act, was passed at Third Reading in the House of Commons and was referred to the Senate. As previously reported, if passed Bill C-44 will, among other things, make certain amendments to the Canada Labour Code regarding an employee’s right to take leave if his…
Proposed Amendments to CIRB Regulation Published for Comment
On November 17, 2012, the federal government published proposed Regulations Amending the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2001, inviting interested parties to comment on the proposed regulatory text within two weeks of the date of publication. The proposed Regulations follow consultations conducted by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (“CIRB”) throughout 2011 with labour and management…
Enjoying a Safe Holiday Office Party
Once again, the holiday season is upon us and it is that time of year when employers begin to plan for seasonal and holiday celebrations. Whether these celebrations are large or small, it is important that employers take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees who attend office parties or other…
Letters of Credit Amendment to PBA Proclaimed into Force
Section 18 of the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010 has been proclaimed into force effective January 1, 2013. This section amends the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”) to add section 55.2, Letters of Credit. As previously reported, the supporting regulation to section 55.2, O. Reg. 364/12, was filed on November 15,…
Morneau Report on Pooling of Pension Fund Assets in BPS Released
On November 16, 2012, the Ontario government released “Facilitating Pooled Asset Management for Ontario’s Public-Sector Institutions,” a report from Pension Investment Advisor, William Morneau, to the Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance (“Morneau Report”). As previously reported, the Ontario government appointed Mr. Morneau further to its Budget 2012 initiatives, specifically to develop recommendations for the…