Bill 133 Regulations (Asset Division on Marriage Breakdown) Filed Under Pension Benefits Act

On June 24, 2011, the Ontario government filed long-anticipated regulations in support of amendments to the Pension Benefits Act effected by Bill 133, the Family Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009. O. Reg. 287/11 (Family Law Matters) follows the previously reported March 2011 release of draft regulations and a related Consultation Paper, and reflects that consultation…

FSCO Releases Guidance Note on Revised CIA Standards of Practice

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (“FSCO”) released its Guidance Note (PDF) with respect to how it expects plans to apply the revised Canadian Institute of Actuaries’ (“CIA”) Practice-Specific Standards for Pension Plans (the “Standards”). The Guidance Note expressly states that the application of some of the CIA revisions to the Standards, which became effective…

Pension Agreements With “Designated Jurisdictions,” Aggregate Funding of AbiBow Pension Plan Regulations Filed

On June 3, 2011, the Ontario government filed two regulations under the Pension Benefits Act. O. Reg. 195/11 amends General Regulation 909 by creating a new section, “Designated Jurisdictions and Agreements with Designated Jurisdictions”, and a Table listing multi-jurisdictional agreements entered into under section 100 of the Act, and the date on which the agreement…

AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Now Posted

As previously reported, the Ontario government announced the release of the final version of the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) on June 3, 2011. O. Reg. 191/11, which will come into force on July 1, 2011, has now been posted on the e-laws website. More information…

Federal 2011 Budget (Post-Election) Introduced

On June 6, 2011, the federal government re-introduced “Budget 2011, the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan—A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth” (PDF). As anticipated, the Budget includes all of the measures previously introduced by the government in March of 2011, which are outlined in our FTR Now of March 24, 2011, “Federal…

AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Released

On June 3, 2011, the Ontario government announced the release of the final version of the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation (the “final regulation”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). The final regulation appears to follow the draft Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation (“draft regulation”), which was published in February of 2011 for…

Ontario Government Prorogues Until After Fall 2011 Election

On June 1, 2011, the Ontario government prorogued, thus ending the session until after the Fall 2011 election, which is scheduled for October 6. As a result, all outstanding business before the House, including all government and Private Members’ Bills, expired on the Order Paper.

Bill 160 OHSA Amendments Receive Royal Assent

On June 1, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety and significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Bill should…

House of Commons Resumes Sitting

On June 2, 2011, the 41st Parliament commencement its first session. The government is expected to re-introduce its 2011 pre-election Budget, on June 6, 2011.