On December 5, 2012, the Ontario government posted a regulatory proposal regarding amendments to O. Reg. 178/11 (Solvency Funding Relief for Certain Public Sector Pension Plans), made under the Pension Benefits Act. Comments on the proposal are due by January 20, 2013. Under the proposal, the third and final window for solvency funding relief for…
Industry: Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial)
An Aging Workforce and Hiring Practices
In a time where the workforce is aging, employers must ensure that their recruitment and interview processes involve objective criteria for assessing a job candidate’s qualifications, and do not discriminate against a candidate on the basis of age, either directly or indirectly. The jurisprudence of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario is clear that age…
Changes Made to the WSIB Appeals Process
On November 29, 2012, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) issued a Consultation Report entitled “Modernization of the WSIB’s Appeals Program.” The Report is the result of a consultation process commenced in June 2012, when the WSIB released a Consultation Paper containing certain key proposed features to increase efficiencies within the WSIB appeals process…
PEI Introduces Pension Benefits Legislation
On November 21, 2012, the Prince Edward Island government introduced Bill 12, Pension Benefits Act, in the legislature. The government has stated that with the exception of a few minor changes, Bill 12 is the same as Bill 41, pension legislation that was introduced in May 2012 but which did not pass first reading. Prince…
Bill Requiring Disclosure of Information by Labour Organizations Reported Back to House of Commons
On November 27, 2012, Bill C-377, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (requirements for labour organizations), was deemed reported without amendment back to the House of Commons from the Standing Committee on Finance. As previously reported, Bill C-377 is a private member’s bill which, if passed, will amend the Income Tax Act to…
Alberta Pension Reform Bill Passes Third Reading
On November 20, 2012, Bill 10, Employment Pension Plans Act, passed Third Reading in the Alberta Legislature. As previously reported, Bill 10 is an overhaul of the existing pension legislation in Alberta and will repeal and replace the Employment Pension Plans Act. The government of Alberta has issued an update outlining the key differences between…
Federal Budget Bill Reported Back to House of Commons
On November 26, 2012, Bill C-45, Jobs and Growth Act, 2012, was reported back to the House of Commons from the Standing Committee on Finance without amendment. As previously reported, Bill C-45 is the federal government’s second omnibus Bill which, if passed, will give effect to certain initiatives contained in its Budget 2012. For more…
Contribution Limit for TFSA Raised $500
The federal government has announced that it will be raising the annual contribution limit for the Tax-Free Savings Account (“TFSA”) by $500, from the current $5000.00 to $5500.00, commencing in 2013.
PBA Letters of Credit Amendment Proclaimed Into Force
Section 3 of Schedule 44 to the Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012, has been proclaimed into force effective January 1, 2013. This section repeals and replaces 55.2(12) of the Pension and Benefits Act to provide that section 55.2, Letters of Credit, will not apply with respect to a jointly sponsored pension plan…
Regulation Filed under Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act
On November 22, 2012, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 385/12 made under the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996. It provides that the following amounts are to be considered “salary” for the purposes of the Act for each year, commencing in 2012: 1. An amount received by an employee as remuneration on a per…