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…
Industry: Financial Services
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…
Consultation Process on HRTO Rules Announced
The Social Justice Tribunals Ontario (“SJTO”) has announced a consultation process regarding proposed new Common Rules of Procedure which will apply to Tribunals in the SJTO cluster, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“HRTO”). One proposed change of interest to employers and respondent service providers is the codification of existing case law regarding vexatious…
Significant Punitive Damages Awarded by Saskatchewan Court
In the recent case Branco v. American Home Assurance Company, the Court of Queen’s Bench for Saskatchewan ordered $4.5 million in punitive damages against two insurance companies arising from what the court found to be their “cruel and malicious acts” against an injured worker. The case involved a worker who was injured on the job…
Québec Tables Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans Bill
On May 8, 2013, the Québec government tabled Bill 39, Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans Act. If passed, Bill 39 would create voluntary retirement savings plans (“VRSP”) for specified workers in Québec who do not have access to employer-sponsored retirement savings plans. As stated by the government, beginning in January 2014, firms which have at least…
Federal Budget Bill Referred to Committee
On May 7, 2013, Bill C-60, Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 1, passed Second Reading in the House of Commons and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Finance. As previously reported, Bill C-60 is omnibus legislation which, if passed, will give effect to certain initiatives contained in the Federal Budget 2013.
CLC Amendments Increasing Fines and Requiring Federal Employers to Insure LTD Plans to Come into Force July 1, 2014
Sections 434 to 439 of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act (“JGLPA”) have been proclaimed into force effective July 1, 2014. The JGLPA is omnibus legislation giving effect to certain initiatives contained in the federal Budget 2012. Sections 434 to 439 amend the Canada Labour Code (“Code”) to, among other things: require every federal…
Regulatory Amendments Relating to End of Mandatory Issuance of SIN Cards Now in Force
Social Insurance Number Regulations made under the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act, which include Consequential Amendments to the Employment Insurance Act Regulations, came into force on April 30, 2013. Among other things, these Regulations align the regulatory framework with legislative changes enacted in the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act (“JGLPA”) which end the…
Ontario Government Introduces Budget 2013
On May 2, 2013, the Ontario government tabled its Budget 2013, “A Prosperous and Fair Ontario” as well as Bill 65, Prosperous and Fair Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2013, legislation which, if passed, would implement certain initiatives contained in the Budget. Among other things, the measures contained in the Budget of interest to employers…
New High Water Mark for Punitive Damages Award: $4.5 Million
A recent decision of the Court of Queen’s Bench for Saskatchewan, which granted an injured worker $4.5 million in punitive damages, has garnered considerable media attention. The plaintiff, Mr. Branco, was a Canadian citizen. He sued his employer (Kumtor, owned by Saskatchewan-based Cameco) and insurers AIG and Zurich Life in relation to benefits arising from…