On May 18, 2010, Bill 236, the Pension Benefits Amendment Act, 2010 received Royal Assent. A number of the Bill 236 amendments are now in force, while others will come into force later this year. Supporting regulations are also expected to be introduced. As previously reported, Bill 236 carried at Third Reading on May 5,…
Industry: Construction
New Legislation to Amend Employment Standards Act, 2000
On May 17, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 68, the Open For Business Act, 2010, omnibus legislation that would amend various acts, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000. If passed, these amendments would in part: allow the Director of Employment Standards to require claimants to provide specific information and let their employer know about…
MOL Enforcement Blitz Targets Construction Sites
On May 13, the Ontario government announced plans to increase enforcement of violations and enhance awareness of safety measures to protect workers on construction sites. The initiative follows a 90-day provincial enforcement campaign to ensure that workplace parties are complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) and its regulations. An expert panel will make…
Private Member’s Pension Bill Passes Second Reading, Referred to Committee
On May 13, 2010, Bill 54, the Retirement Savings Plans for Employees and Self-Employed Persons Act, 2010 was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Bill 54 is a Private Member’s Public Bill, first introduced on May 5, 2010. As outlined in our FAQ section, historically, very few Private Member Bills progress beyond the…
New Federal Pension Regulation Amendments Proposed
On May, 8, 2010, the Federal government published proposed amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985. The proposed amendments would: amend the funding rules to adopt a new standard for establishing minimum funding requirements on a solvency basis using average (rather than current) solvency ratios to determine minimum funding requirements; introduce a solvency margin…
Mandatory Reporting of Internet Child Pornography by “Persons” Providing an Internet Service
On May 6, 2010, the Federal government introduced Bill C-22, the Protecting Children From Online Sexual Exploitation Act, legislation that would impose mandatory duty on “persons” (defined to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, unincorporated associations or organizations) providing an “internet service” (internet access, e-mail or internet content hosting) to report child pornography in specific cases. This…
Ontario Passes New Pension Reform Legislation
On May 5, 2010, Bill 236, the Pension Benefits Amendment Act, 2010 carried at Third Reading, and is expected to receive Royal Assent. Bill 236 was reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on April 19, 2010.
Federal Budget Bill Carries at Second Reading, Sent to Committee
On April 19, 2010, Bill C-9, the Jobs And Economic Growth Act, carried at Second Reading and was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduced on March 29, 2010, Bill C-9 is omnibus legislation designed to amend various Acts and implement certain key measures outlined in the federal government’s 2010 Budget. In part, the Bill outlines…
2010 Winter Issue
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS Labour law and the freedom of association FOCUS ON CONSTRUCTION The long reach of construction A good constitution PROFILE Hicks Morley lawyers lead the class Download PDF
Municipalities Exposed To Construction Collective Agreements
In a recent decision, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) held that key non-construction employer provisions of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, 1995 (the Act) were unconstitutional. In this FTR Now, we discuss how the decision could have an impact on the ability of municipalities to tender construction work. BACKGROUND The construction industry labour relations…