Mariana provides advice to federally and provincially regulated employers on all aspects of workers’ compensation claims and appeals, such as initial entitlement, accommodation and related human rights and arbitration proceedings.
Industry: Education
Reminder: Universities and Colleges to Have Student-Specific Sexual Violence Policies in Place by January 1, 2017
On January 1, 2017, amendments to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act and the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 made by Bill 132 (Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015) come into force…
New Definition of “Spouse” in Ontario to Affect Plan Administration, Insurance & Succession Rules
Pending legislative changes to the definition of “spouse” in Ontario are set to impact pension plan administration and insurance claims in Ontario, further to amendments recently enacted by Bill 28, All Families Are Equal Act (Parentage and Related Registrations Statute Law Amendment), 2016…
Protecting Students Act Passes Third Reading
On November 15, 2016, Bill 37, Protecting Students Act, 2016, passed Third Reading…
Post-Retirement Benefits Changes Affecting Members of the Ontario Public Service
On November 11, 2016 the government of Ontario and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) reached an agreement regarding post-retirement benefits (PRBs) for members of the OPSEU Pension Plan. The Ontario government subsequently announced that the terms of that agreement would be extended to members of the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), subject to…
WSIB Rate Framework Approved
On November 14, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) approved its new Rate Framework which fundamentally changes the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets their premium rates. The Rate Framework has a targeted implementation date of January 2019. On the same date, the Board of…
Ontario Proposes Creation of Employer “Health and Safety Management Systems” under OHSA
On November 16, 2016, the Ontario government introduced Bill 70, Building Ontario Up for Everyone Act (Budget Measures), 2016, omnibus legislation that would, among other things, amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to provide for the establishment of employer “health and safety management systems.” Specifically, the amendments would: define “health and safety management…
Ontario Proposes Significant Overhaul of Pension Regulatory Framework
On November 16, 2016, the Ontario government introduced Bill 70, Building Ontario Up for Everyone Act (Budget Measures), 2016, omnibus legislation that would, among other things: enact the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario Act, 2016 to establish a new framework for the creation of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), replacing both…
Ontario PRPP Legislation Now in Force
On November 8, 2016, the Ontario Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act (Act) came into force. As we previously reported, pooled registered pension plans (PRPPs) are a relatively new type of savings plan, operating much like a defined contribution pension plan that holds assets pooled together from multiple participating employers and employees. PRPPs are administered by…
New Rules for Administrator Appointment & Advisory Committee Establishment
On October 31, 2016, the Ontario government filed new regulations under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA) to implement the measures set out below. Appointment of administrator. Effective October 31, 2016, the PBA regulations are amended to set out the prescribed circumstances in which the Superintendent may appoint an administrator for a pension plan or act…