On April 1, 2011, regulatory amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985 will come into force. These amendments support the changes to the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (PBSA) made by Bill C-9, which is discussed here. As previously reported, these amendments will: permit plan sponsors to secure properly structured letters of credit in…
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TTC “Essential Service” Legislation Ordered for Third Reading
On March 24, 2011, Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, was reported without amendment from the Standing Committee on General Government and ordered for Third Reading. As previously reported, Bill 150 is proposed legislation that would designate the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service and provide for binding arbitration by…
Federal Mandatory Reporting of Internet Child Pornography Bill Receives Royal Assent
On March 23, 2011, Bill C-22, an Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill C-22 imposes a mandatory duty on persons providing an “internet service” (a service providing internet access, e-mail or internet content hosting) to the public to…
Federal Budget 2011
The Minister of Finance, the Honourable James M. Flaherty, tabled the Government of Canada’s 2011 Budget “A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth” in the House of Commons on March 22, 2011. In this FTR Now we review the key aspects of the Budget that are of most interest to employers and human resources professionals….
Federal 2011 Budget Introduced
On March 22, 2011, the federal government introduced its 2011 Budget “A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth”. Highlights in the Budget of interest to employers include: elimination of the mandatory retirement age for federally regulated employees volunteer firefighters tax credit anti-avoidance rules for RRSPs increase in EI premiums limited to 5 cents in 2011…
Québec Budget Announces New Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans for Employees
In its March 17, 2011 budget, Québec announced that it would implement voluntary retirement savings plans (VRSPs) for all workers who do not have access to a private pension plan. VRSPs will be capital accumulation plans (defined contribution savings plans) administered by third parties such as financial institutions. The financial institutions that offer these VRSPs…
Québec proposes stronger retirement income system
On March 17, 2011, the Québec government tabled its 2011-2012 Budget. The Budget proposed, among other things, to strengthen Québec’s retirement income system by: making adjustments to the Québec Pension Plan, as of January 1, 2012, to guarantee a new basic income to Québecers at retirement; and undertaking to implement new Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans…
Legislature Expresses Interest in Government Presenting Mandatory Retirement Legislation for Firefighters
On March 10, 2011, a private member’s motion calling upon the Ontario government to introduce legislation allowing for the mandatory retirement of firefighters involved in fire suppression duties at age 60 was passed in the Legislature. While there is no indication at this time as to whether the government will propose such legislation, the motion…
Affordable Housing Legislation (Bill 140) Passes Second Reading
On March 8, 2011, Bill 140, Strong Communities Through Affordable Housing Act, carried at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. Bill 140 would, if passed, repeal the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 and enact the Housing Services Act, 2010. The legislation relates to the provision of housing and…
Good Government Bill Passes Third Reading
On March 7, 2011, Bill 110, the Good Government Act, was carried at Third Reading. As previously reported, Bill 110 is omnibus legislation that would, if passed, make a number of amendments to various Acts, including several employment-related statutes. The Bill should be consulted for coming into force information.