Ontario Budget Bill Referred to Committee

On June 5, 2013, Bill 65, Prosperous and Fair Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2013, carried on recorded division at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. As previously reported, Bill 65 is legislation which, if passed, will give effect to certain initiatives contained in the Ontario Budget…

Alberta Passes PRPP Legislation

On May 7, 2013, Bill 18, Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act,passed Third Reading in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and received Royal Assent on May 27, 2013. Bill 18 authorizes pooled registered pension plans (“PRPPs”) to be made available to eligible employees and self-employed persons in Alberta and sets out the legal framework for the…

A Lower Cover Charge for Women on “Ladies Night” is not Discriminatory

In the recent decision Maclean v. The Barking Frog, Mr. Maclean brought an application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario in which he alleged that a bar discriminated against him by charging men a higher entry fee than women on “ladies night.” The application was dismissed after a summary hearing on the basis that…

Ontario Introduces Electronic Personal Health Information Protection Bill

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…

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…

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…