Bill 120, Securing Pensions Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, received Royal Assent on December 8, 2010. Bill 120 was one of four separate bills passed by the Ontario legislature in 2010 which included amendments to the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (“PBA“). Without a doubt, 2010 marks the most significant overhaul of Ontario’s…
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Responding to Disclosure Demands at the Bargaining Table: Employer Rights and Obligations
Many Social Services organizations will be negotiating for the renewal of their collective agreements in 2011. Some of our clients have advised us that they have received broad disclosure requests from unions well in advance of actual bargaining. These requests are very similar to requests a number of Social Services organizations received in early 2009….
School Board Update – ECE Representation Disputes: OLRB Sidesteps Arbitration Award
In York Region District School Board, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB”) considered an application for certification by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (“ETFO”) to represent the Board’s designated early childhood educators (“DECEs”). In this case, an arbitrator had already determined that the Board’s DECEs were included in an office, clerical, technical and educational…
Bill 138 – Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2010
There has been much discussion recently in the human resources world about a Private Member’s Bill that was introduced in the Ontario Legislature on November 23, 2010. If passed, Bill 138, the Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2010, would create a more comprehensive legislative framework for the regulation of the human resources profession, and would…
Ontario’s Accountability Bill Comes Into Force
Subject to the following exceptions, Bill 122, the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010, was proclaimed in force on January 1, 2011: the amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA”), which come into force on January 1, 2012; and sections 5 to 16, dealing with the reporting of consultants and…
Healthcare “Quality Committee” Provisions Now In Force
On January 1, 2011, sections 3 and 4 of Bill 46, the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010, were proclaimed in force. These provide for the establishment of “Quality Committees” and their responsibilities.
CPP Regulatory Amendments In Force
On January 1, 2011, Regulations Amending the Canada Pension Plan Regulations came into force (SOR/2010-300). The regulations implement the legislative amendments in the Economic Recovery Act (stimulus) (which received Royal Assent on December 15, 2009) and are intended to restore and enhance the actuarial adjustments made to Canada Pension Plan retirement pensions taken before and…
FSCO Releases Plan Administrator Guideline for Public Consultation
On December 15, 2010, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (“FSCO”) posted a draft consultation policy (the “policy”) regarding the management of inquiries and complaints by plan administrators. FSCO also posted a draft consultation guideline for developing a written policy (the “guideline”) on managing inquiries and complaints from plan beneficiaries for public review and commentary….
House of Commons Adjourns Until January 31, 2011
On Thursday, December 16, 2010, the federal House of Commons adjourned until 11:00 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, January 31, 2011.
Federal Pension Regulations Proposed
On Tuesday, December 14, 2010, the federal government proposed a number of regulatory amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985 for public commentary. The proposed amendments are designed to increase protection of plan members and retirees and would, in part: permit plan sponsors to secure properly structured letters of credit in lieu of making…