Ontario Government Re-Introduces Budget 2014, New Budget Bill

On July 14, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced its 2014 Budget, entitled Building Opportunity, Securing Our Future (the “Budget”). On the same day, it tabled Bill 14, Building Opportunity and Securing Our Future Act (Budget Measures), 2014. The amendments outlined in Bill 14 are similar, but not identical, to measures proposed in the May 2014 Budget Bill…

Ontario Re-Introduces BPS Accountability, Transparency Legislation (Formerly Bill 179)

On July 8, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced broader public sector (“BPS”) accountability and transparency legislation. If passed, proposed measures in Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, identified in the government’s press release would, among other matters: authorize the government to directly control compensation of senior executives in the BPS by…

Canada Labour Code Health and Safety Amendments to Come into Force on October 31, 2014

The federal government has fixed October 31, 2014 as the date that Division 5 of Part 3 of the federal Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 2 will come into force. Division 5 of Part 3 of the Act amends the Canada Labour Code (“Code”) and makes consequential amendments to other statutes to align them with these changes….

CASL Regulations Amended

On May 28, 2014, Regulations Amending the Electronic Commerce Protection Regulations (CRTC) (“Regulations”) were registered and came into force.  The Regulations amend the Electronic Commerce Protection Regulations (CRTC) made under Canada’s Anti-spam legislation (“CASL”), to provide that section 5 of the Electronic Commerce Protection Regulations (CRTC) (“Specified Functions of Computer Programs”) comes into effect on…

CPP Regulations Amended to Define “Substantially Gainful” Occupation

On June 18, 2014, Regulations Amending the Canada Pension Plan Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette. As previously reported, the Regulations amend the Canada Pension Plan Regulations to prescribe the meaning of “‘substantially gainful’, in respect of an occupation” in subsections 42(1) and 89(1) of the Canada Pension Plan, one of the factors relevant…

Ontario Amends “Letter of Credit” and BPS Solvency Funding Relief Regulations

On May 17, 2014, the Ontario government published regulatory amendments to Regulation 909 (General) under the Pension Benefits Act  that: clarify that for purposes of determining the total amount of all letters of credit (“LOC”) held in trust for the pension fund for inclusion in the solvency asset adjustment, the value of any special payments…

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 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,…