Federal Amendments to PIPEDA Introduced

On May 25, 2010, the federal government introduced two Bills that, if passed, would significantly amend PIPEDA: Bill C-29, the Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information Act and Bill C-28, the Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act. Bill C-29 would: specify the elements of valid consent for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information; permit the…

New Teacher Qualification Regulations

On May 20, 2010, the government filed the following new regulation under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996: O. Reg. 176/10, which outlines the requirements for obtaining a certificate of qualification and registration. With certain exceptions, the Regulation is now in force. O. Reg. 182/10, which outlines amendments to O. Reg. 347/02 (the accreditation…

New Education Act Regulations

On May 20, 2010, the Ontario government filed the following Regulations under the Education Act: O. Reg. 180/10 (Supervisory Officers), in part clarifying the definition of “acceptable post-secondary degree” for the purposes of s. 1(1) of Regulation 309 of R.R.O. 1990; O. Reg. 183/10 (Operation of Schools), dealing with the assignment or appointment of teachers…

Implementing Phase One of Ontario Pension Reform: A Roadmap for Plan Sponsors and Administrators

On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, Bill 236, the Pension Benefits Amendment Act, 2010 (“Bill 236”), the first major piece of pension reform legislation to be approved by the Ontario Legislature in over two decades, received Royal Assent. The Bill 236 amendments enhance certain individual member rights and entitlements, provide the Superintendent of Financial Services with…

Department of Finance Proposes Changes to HST Calculation Rules Affecting Investment Funds

On May 19, 2010, the Department of Finance released proposed changes to the Harmonized Sales Tax (“HST”) rules covering the supply of financial services relating to the calculation of the provincial component of the HST under the Excise Tax Act. As outlined in the government Backgrounder, the proposed changes would affect, among others, mutual funds,…

Are You Ready for Bill 168? Preventing Workplace Violence and Bill 168 – A Guide for Employers

Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009 will come into effect on June 15, 2010. Bill 168 requires employers to develop policies and programs to address workplace violence and harassment and to assess the risk of violence in its workplace. Hicks Morley has prepared Preventing Workplace…

New Legislation to Amend Employment Standards Act, 2000

On May 17, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 68, the Open For Business Act, 2010, omnibus legislation that would amend various acts, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000. If passed, these amendments would in part: allow the Director of Employment Standards to require claimants to provide specific information and let their employer know about…