On December 18, 2014, the Alberta government implemented a number of amendments to its Employment Pension Plans Regulation (“EPPA Regulations”), which came into force on September 1, 2014. Among other matters, the amendments provide the following: Extended Deadline – File EPPA Plan Amendments by June 30, 2015. Pension plans registered in Alberta and plans registered elsewhere…
Industry: Long-Term Care and Home Care
Update on Ontario ORPP and PRPP Legislation
On December 8, 2014 the Ontario government introduced Bill 56, the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan Act, 2014 proposed legislation intended to institute the new Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (“ORPP”). That same day, the government also introduced Bill 57, the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act, 2014, legislation that will, if passed, provide the legal framework for…
Ontario Releases ORPP Consultation Paper
On December 17, 2014, the Ontario government released a consultation paper inviting feedback on key design details and essential components of the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (“ORPP”), including: defining a “comparable workplace pension plan,” to clarify membership in the ORPP; a minimum earnings threshold below which low-income workers would be exempt from contributions; and retirement…
Stephanie Jeronimo and Julia Nanos Publish an Article in the Winter Edition of OMHRA’s Newsletter ECHO
Hicks Morley’s Stephanie Jeronimo and Julia Nanos co-authored an article in the winter edition of ECHO, a newsletter published by the Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association. In the article, entitled “Off-Duty Social Media Posts by Employees can be Cause for Discipline – Including Discharge” three recent arbitrations are examined, where the grievors had been discharged for off-duty posts…
Maintaining a Workplace Free of Sexual Harassment
Over the past several months, the issue of workplace sexual harassment has been in the spotlight and the subject of considerable discussion. In response to recent media attention, the Ontario Human Rights Commission recently issued a statement reiterating the legal duty of employers to prevent sexual harassment and to respond to any complaints in the…
BPS Compensation and Accountability Legislation Receives Royal Assent
On December 11, 2014, Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014 (formerly Bill 179), received Royal Assent, as amended by the Standing Committe on General Government. Highlights of the Committee amendments and the impact of the legislation on affected organizations is now available in our FTR Now, “BPS Accountability Legislation Passes…
Wage Loss Replacement Plans: Canada Revenue Agency Updates Tax Withholding Requirements
Effective January 1, 2015, the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) is changing the tax withholding requirements for benefits paid under a “wage loss replacement plan” (“WLRP”). The CRA will now require the withholding of income tax from benefit payments under a WLRP, even if the benefits are not subject to Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”) contributions or…
Ontario Introduces ORPP and PRPP Legislation
On December 8, 2014, the Ontario government introduced Bill 56, the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan Act, 2014, legislation intended to address the issue of retirement undersavings. As we previously reported, the government initiated a public consultation process regarding Ontario retirement pension plan (“ORPP”) implementation through targeted questions to employees and employers in November, 2014. A…
Amendments Filed to Regulation Made Under Ontario Pension Benefits Act
The Ontario government has filed O. Reg. 235/14, amending Regulation 909 of the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”) in respect of new rules regarding Statements of Investment Policies and Procedures (“SIP&Ps”), requirements to provide periodic statements to former and retired members and the content of annual member statements. Draft regulations (“Draft Regulations”) were previously released for…
Ontario Files Regulation under PBA Regarding SIPPs and Requirements for Disclosure Statements
On November 27, 2014, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 235/14, amending Regulation 909 made under the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”). O. Reg. 235/14 establishes new rules regarding Statements of Investment Policies and Procedures (“SIP&Ps”). It requires that a SIP&P be filed with the Superintendent of Financial Services within 60 days after January 1, 2016…