As discussed in our recent FTR Now, Alberta Introduces Significant Pension Reforms Effective September 1, 2014, the new Employment Pension Plans Act and accompanying Employment Pension Plans Regulation came into force on September 1, 2014. Pension plans registered in Alberta and plans registered elsewhere with members whose pension benefits are subject to Alberta pension legislation…
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FSCO Extends Filing Deadline for EPPA-Related Plan Amendments
As we recently reported, on November 19, 2014, the Alberta government announced that plan sponsors or administrators could request and receive an extension of the deadline for filing plan amendments required under Alberta’s new Employment Pension Plans Act (“EPPA”) from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015. The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (“FSCO”) has…
Raising the Bar – Eighth Edition
Dear Readers, With the first big snowfall and the coming of the holiday season, we’re thrilled to bring you the Winter 2014 edition of Raising the Bar. This time, we’re doing something a little different. Rather than our usual format, we’re devoting this entire issue to a topic that clients have been increasingly asking us…
Ontario Announces ORPP Consultation Process
On November 18, 2014, the Ontario government published additional information outlining the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (“ORPP”) framework, and is presently soliciting feedback on the ORPP design and implementation process through a series of targeted questions for employers and employees. Verbal or written feedback may be provided directly to the Associate Minister of Finance. No…
Omnibus Workplace Laws Bill Receives Royal Assent (Bill 18)
On November 20, 2014, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 (“Bill 18”) received Royal Assent, as amended by the Standing Committee on General Government. Among other matters, effective February 20, 2015 (i.e. three months after Royal Assent): the $10,000 cap on orders to pay wages under s. 103(4) of the…
Plans May Request Relief For Alberta EPPA Amendment Filing Deadline
As we recently reported, Alberta’s new Employment Pension Plans Act (“EPPA”) became effective September 1, 2014, and amendments to comply with the new EPPA rules were to be filed with the Alberta pension regulator by December 31, 2014. On November 19, 2014, the Alberta government announced that a plan sponsor (or its legal, actuarial or third…
Holiday Cheer: A Checklist For Employers
The holiday season is around the corner – and with it comes festivities and celebrations. Whether these seasonal events are large or small, employee health and safety remains a key priority for employers. In this FTR Now, we provide employers with a checklist of measures to consider implementing in planning for a safe holiday celebration….
The Duty of Good Faith and Honesty: An Important Foundational Decision by The Supreme Court Of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada has issued a significant decision on the duty of good faith in the law of commercial contracts. In Bhasin v. Hrynew, the Court recognized good faith contractual performance as a general organizing principle of contract law and recognized a new “duty of honest performance” in the fulfillment of contractual obligations….
Alberta Introduces Significant Pension Reforms Effective September 1, 2014
On July 22, 2014, the government of Alberta passed the supporting regulations to the province’s new Employment Pension Plans Act (the “EPPA”), legislation enacted in December 2012 following recommendations from a 2008 report by the Alberta and British Columbia Joint Expert Panel on Pension Standards regarding pension reform in those two provinces. The new EPPA…
The Ministry of Labour and Ebola Preparedness
In light of recent concerns regarding the outbreak of Ebola abroad, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) has been conducting a series of Ebola preparedness investigations targeting hospitals and paramedic services. In this FTR Now, we outline best practices for handling an investigation by the MOL and consider the right of employees – including health…