2014 Kingston Client Conference

Stay on the leading edge of Human Resources change Change is a constant in the human resources world – with new laws and court decisions and the evolution of best practices. Employers must take the lead in responding to these emerging challenges – and Hicks Morley is pleased to be your partner in navigating this…

2014 Ottawa Client Conference / Conférences de 2014 pour nos clients

Stay on the leading edge of Human Resources change Change is a constant in the human resources world – with new laws and court decisions and the evolution of best practices. Employers must take the lead in responding to these emerging challenges – and Hicks Morley is pleased to be your partner in navigating this…

CAPSA Releases Guideline on Defined Contribution Pension Plans

On March 28, 2014, the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (“CAPSA”), the association which represents all Canadian pension regulators, released the final version of Guideline No. 8: Defined Contribution Pension Plans, (“DC Guidelines”) along with an accompanying reference document. The DC Guidelines were issued following the circulation of a draft version and extensive public…

Provincial Parliament Dissolved; General Election on June 12, 2014

On May 2, 2014, the 40th Parliament of Ontario was dissolved. As a result, all outstanding business before the Legislative Assembly, including all government and Private Members’ Bills, expired on the Order Paper. Parliament will reconvene following the general election, which has been set for June 12, 2014. More information is available in our FTR…

Ontario Budget 2014 and the Provincial Election – Voting Requirements and More

Last week saw significant developments at Queen’s Park that will be of interest to all employers in Ontario. On Thursday, May 1, 2014, the Ontario government introduced its 2014 Budget, entitled Building Opportunity, Securing Our Future (the “Budget”). On the same day, the government introduced Bill 194, the Building Opportunity and Securing Our Future Act…

Employer Permitted to Define “Spouse” under Benefit Plan to Exclude Married but Separated Spouses

In a recent decision of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal (“Tribunal”) in VanderLinde v. Oshawa (City)  (“VanderLinde”), the Tribunal found that it is not discriminatory for an employer to require that an employee’s legally married spouse be living with the employee as a condition of eligibility as a spouse under its group benefit plan. In…

Ontario Government Introduces Budget 2014

On May 1, 2014, the Ontario government tabled its Budget 2014: Building Opportunity, Securing Our Future. An FTR Now providing an analysis of proposals of interest to employers and plan administrators will be available shortly on our website.

Three New Leaves of Absence Added to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 Effective October 29, 2014

On April 29, 2014, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 21, the Employment Standards Amendment Act (Leaves to Help Families), 2014. Royal Assent was given on the same day. Bill 21 will amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “Act“) to add three new job-protected leaves of absence effective October 29, 2014 – family caregiver leave,…

2014 Toronto Client Conference

Stay on the leading edge of Human Resources change Change is a constant in the human resources world – with new laws and court decisions and the evolution of best practices. Employers must take the lead in responding to these emerging challenges – and Hicks Morley is pleased to be your partner in navigating this…

Bill 21, Leaves to Help Families Act, Coming Into Force October 29, 2014

On April 29, 2014, Bill 21, Employment Standards Amendment Act (Leaves to Help Families), 2014, as amended by the Standing Committee on General Government, passed Third Reading in the Ontario Legislature and received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Bill will allow eligible employees to take the following job-protected unpaid leaves of absence: •Family Caregiver Leave…