On July 1, 2012, significant amendments to the Pension Benefits Act made under the following acts were proclaimed into force: Pension Benefits Amendment Act, 2010 Securing Pension Benefits Now and For the Future Act, 2010 Better Tomorrow for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2011 Creating the Foundation for Jobs and Growth Act, 2010 As previously reported,…
Industry: Long-Term Care and Home Care
Amendments to Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Proposed
On June 16, 2012, the federal government published draft regulations made under the Canada Labour Code which propose amendments to, among other things, the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Generally, the proposed amendments would repeal the requirement for organizations to seek the approval of the Minister of Labour to deliver first-aid courses. This would…
Pooled Registered Pension Plan Act Receives Royal Assent
The federal government has announced that Bill C-25, An Act relating to pooled registered pension plans and making related amendments to other Acts, will receive Royal Assent today, June 28, 2012. As previously reported, Bill C-25 is new legislation implementing the framework for federally regulated pooled registered pension plans (“PRPPs”).
Ontario Files Significant Regulations under the Pension Benefits Act
On June 26, 2012, the Ontario government filed a number of amendments to regulations made under the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”). Specifically, the government filed the much anticipated O. Reg. 178/12 amending General Regulation 909 to support numerous pension reforms. As reported in prior posts and our FTR Now of May 9, 2012, “Implementation of…
Ontario Files BPS Solvency Funding Relief, JSPP Funding Rules and Filing of Actuarial Valuations Regulation
On June 22, 2012, the Ontario government filed O. Reg 164/12 made under the Pension Benefits Act, amending Regulation 909 (General). Generally speaking, plan administrators are required to file actuarial valuations within nine months from the date of the valuation. O. Reg 164/12 provides an extension to the window for filing actuarial valuations in accordance…
Ontario Legislative Assembly Adjourns Until September 10, 2012
On June 20, 2012, the House adjourned for the summer break. It is scheduled to resume sitting on September 10, 2012.
Amended Ontario Budget Bill Passes Third Reading, Receives Royal Assent
On June 20, 2012, Bill 55, Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012 (“Bill 55”) passed Third Reading, as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (“Committee”). Among other matters, proposed amendments to interest arbitration processes under a variety of statutes were deleted from the Bill, including the Ambulance Services Collective…
House of Commons Passes the Federal Budget Implementation Bill (C-38)
On June 18, 2012, after voting on over 800 proposed amendments, the House of Commons passed Bill C-38, Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, the omnibus legislation intended to give effect to certain key initiatives outlined in its Budget 2012. Bill C-38 now moves to the Senate for review and confirmation. For more information about…
Ontario Employers Required to Post New OHSA Poster
The Ontario government has announced that employers are now required to post a new workplace poster, “Health & Safety at Work – Prevention Starts Here,” pursuant to their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This requirement will be enforced by Ministry of Labour inspectors beginning on October 1, 2012. The poster was developed…
Federal Pooled Registered Pension Plan (“PRPP”) Legislation Passes Third Reading
On June 12, 2012, Bill C-25, An Act relating to pooled registered pension plans and making related amendments to other Acts, passed Third Reading in the House of Commons. It will proceed to the Senate for further debate.