Ontario Releases Discussion Paper on Retirement Income System

On October 29, 2010, the Ontario government released a paper, “Securing our Retirement Future: Consulting with Ontarians on Canada’s Retirement Income System”, for public discussion, and reiterated its intention to amend the Pension Benefits Act in respect of employment-based defined benefit plans, among other matters.

Ontario Introduces Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010

As reported in our previous FTR Now, on October 20, 2010 the Ontario government introduced Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, reflecting a number of the reforms announced in the government’s news release of August 24, 2010. The Bill supplements the first phase of Ontario pension reforms, contained…

Ontario Passes Open for Business Act, 2010

On October 21, 2010, the Ontario government passed Bill 68, the Open for Business Act, 2010.  As previously reported, Bill 68 is omnibus legislation that includes amendments to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000. These amendments will come into force on a date to be proclaimed. Bill 68 also amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act,…

Ontario Introduces Further Pension Reforms

On October 19, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010. As previously reported, these pension reforms are intended to build on the first phase of reforms, which were passed earlier this year. The government has announced that the Bill 120 reforms would, if passed:…

Ontario Introduces Accountability Legislation for Broader Public Sector

On October 20, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 122, the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010. The proposed legislation is intended to impose new rules and higher accountability standards for the broader public sector around the use of external lobbyists, consultants and expenses. The proposed legislation would apply to hospitals and Local Health Integration…

Ontario Introduces Further Pension Reforms

On October 19, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010.  As previously reported, these pension reforms will build on the first phase of reforms which were passed earlier this year. 

The Social Media Challenge – Protecting Your Organization in the Web’s Wild West

The use of social media has exploded in a very short time frame, and many organizations are scrambling to deal with situations they never would have envisioned even five years ago. Two issues in particular are proving to be troubling: derogatory or critical statements by employees about their employer or other employees (attacks from within);…

New Education Act Regulation Filed – Supervised Alternative Learning, Excusals

On September 29, 2010, the Ontario government published O. Reg. 374/10 under the Education Act, which sets out the rules applicable to supervised alternative learning and other excusals from attendance at school. O. Reg. 374/10 revokes Regulation 308 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990, and will come into force on February 1, 2011.