PBA Regulatory Amendment Will Change Locked-In Retirement Fund Withdrawal Process

On June 20, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 185/13 amending Regulation 909 (General) made under the Pension Benefits Act. As announced by the government, this amendment to Regulation 909 will permit individuals to apply to their financial institutions for financial hardship withdrawals of their locked-in retirement funds, rather than to the Superintendent of…

Access to Information Act/Privacy Act Regulatory Amendments Update Schedules of Designated Investigative Bodies

On May 31, 2013, the federal government registered Regulations Amending the Access to Information Regulations made under the Access to Information Act. These Regulations amend Schedule I (Investigative Bodies) of the Access to Information Regulations to delete the names of investigative bodies that are no longer in existence and to replace the name of one…

New Federal Regulations Proposed for Health and Safety Committees/Representatives

On June 8, 2013, the federal government published proposed Policy Committees, Work Place Committees and Health and Safety Representatives Regulations (“Regulations”) made under the Canada Labour Code (“Code”). The proposed Regulations would replace the Safety and Health Committees and Representatives Regulations (“SHCRR”) to align the Regulations with amendments made to the Code in 2000, which…

Ontario Budget Bill Referred to Committee

On June 5, 2013, Bill 65, Prosperous and Fair Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2013, carried on recorded division at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. As previously reported, Bill 65 is legislation which, if passed, will give effect to certain initiatives contained in the Ontario Budget…

Alberta Passes PRPP Legislation

On May 7, 2013, Bill 18, Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act,passed Third Reading in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and received Royal Assent on May 27, 2013. Bill 18 authorizes pooled registered pension plans (“PRPPs”) to be made available to eligible employees and self-employed persons in Alberta and sets out the legal framework for the…

Ontario Introduces Electronic Personal Health Information Protection Bill

On May 29, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 78, Electronic Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2013. If passed, Bill 78 would amend certain statutes with respect to electronic health records. Such amendments would, among other things, add Part V.1, “Electronic Health Records” to the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (“PHIPA”) which includes: requiring…

Schedule to General FIPPA Regulation Amended

On May 17, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 157/13 amending Regulation 460 (General) made under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA”). O. Reg. 157/13 amends the Schedule to Regulation 460 by revoking and/or adding certain entities as designated institutions under FIPPA. With one exception, O. Reg. 157/13 came into…