The Pay Equity Commission has published “A Guide to Interpreting Ontario’s Pay Equity Act” (August 2012). The Guide provides an overview of the interpretation by the Pay Equity Office of the minimum requirements of the Pay Equity Act, and is primarily intended to provide employers with guidance as to their obligations under that legislation. View…
Industry: Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial)
Ministry of Finance Publishes New Income Tax Proposals For Public Commentary
On August 14, 2012, the Ministry of Finance published new legislative proposals relating to the Income Tax Act and Regulations for public commentary. The proposals, which are designed to implement a range of Budget-related initiatives announced by the federal government earlier this year, include measures that would, if adopted, include an employer’s contributions to a…
Ontario Releases Proposed Amendments to Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation
On August 15, 2012, the Ontario government published proposed amendments to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IAS) (Ontario Regulation 191/11) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 for public consultation. The amendments, once finalized, are expected to come into force the later of January 1, 2013, or the day they are filed. The…
Pay Equity Guide Now Available
The Pay Equity Commission has published “A Guide to Interpreting Ontario’s Pay Equity Act” (August 2012). The Guide provides an overview of the interpretation by the Pay Equity Office of the minimum requirements of the Pay Equity Act, and is primarily intended to provide employers with guidance as to their obligations under that legislation.
Federal Government Publishes Pooled Registered Pension Plan Regulations
On August 10, 2012, the federal government published proposed regulations to support the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act (“PRPP Act”). The Pooled Registered Pension Plan Regulations provide supporting details for the provisions of the PRPP Act respecting: the licensing conditions for a Pooled Registered Pension Plan (“PRPP”) administrator; the management and investment of funds in…
Ontario Government Publishes Integrated Accessibility Standards Guide and Compliance Tool
The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services has published “A Guide to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation” dated July 2012. The Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAS) Regulation was made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. It came into force on July 1, 2011 and affects nearly all organizations in Ontario. The Guide…
Federal Government Creates Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
Further to its Economic Action Plan 2012, the federal government has announced the creation of a Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The Panel has been charged with identifying private sector successes and best practices regarding labour market participation of persons with disabilities. It will also identify barriers and disincentives to employment…
Letters of Credit Regulation Proposed to Implement Pension Reform Measures
On July 30, 2012, the Ontario Ministry of Finance posted details of a proposed, supporting regulation to implement the new framework for letters of credit under the yet to be proclaimed section 55.2 of the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”). As noted in our “Pension Reform Measures in Ontario Have Arrived” FTR Now of July 27,…
Temporary solvency relief extended for specified Ontario MEPPs
The Ontario government filed regulatory amendments extending temporary solvency relief another five years for specified Ontario multi-employer pension plans (“SOMEPPs”). O. Reg. 203/12 amends sections 6.01(2), 6.0.3(2) and 6.04(1)(b) of General Regulation 909 to extend the solvency funding relief to valuations dated on or before August 31, 2017, and is now in force. We anticipate…
House of Commons Adjourns Until September 17, 2012
On Thursday, June 21, 2012, the federal House of Commons adjourned until 11:00 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, September 17, 2012.