On April 8, 2013, parts of the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 (“OCTAA”) will be proclaimed into force. Among other things, OCTAA creates the Ontario College of Trades (“College”). Effective April 8, 2013, OCTAA will repeal the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998 and the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, thereby transferring most…
Industry: Membership Associations
Ontario Launches Consultation on Development of Occupational Health and Safety Strategy
The Ontario Ministry of Labour has launched a consultation process further to the development of its first province-wide integrated occupational health and safety strategy. It has issued a consultation paper, “An Integrated Occupational Health and Safety Strategy for Ontario”, for review and comment by stakeholders. Feedback is invited on issues such as: addressing the needs…
The Science of Data Breach Prevention and the Art of Breach Response
Organizations should be paying close attention to data loss prevention and response in light of recent developments. Recent media frenzies over the loss of portable storage devices illustrate that individuals’ fears and perceptions can cause great pressure on organizations even when the risk of real harm to individuals is remote. In addition, the risk of…
Federal Budget 2013 Highlights
On March 21, 2013, the federal government tabled its Budget 2013, Jobs Growth and Long Term Prosperity – Economic Action Plan 2013. Some of the highlights of interest to employers and pension plan administrators include: simplified GST/HST pension plan rules for employers; amendments to the Income Tax Act to permit the correction of reasonable pension…
Federal Gender Identity, Gender Expression Bill Passes Third Reading
On March 20, 2013, Bill C-279, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (gender identity and gender expression), a Private Member’s Bill, passed Third Reading in the House of Commons and proceeded to the Senate for debate. If passed, Bill C-279 will add gender identity and gender expression as…
Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013 Introduced
On March 20, 2013, Bill 32, Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013, was introduced in the Ontario Legislature. Bill 32 is a Private Member’s Bill which is co-sponsored by three Members of Provincial Parliament, one from each of the Liberal, PC and NDP parties. Bill 32 reintroduces Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2011,…
Federal Budget 2013 Introduced
Today, the federal government tabled its Budget 2013, Jobs, Growth and Long Term Prosperity – Economic Action Plan 2013. Hicks Morley is in the process of reviewing the Budget. An FTR Now outlining the Budget’s highlights for employers and pension plan administrators will be available shortly on our website.
B.C. PRPP Legislation Does Not Proceed Past First Reading
As previously reported, the British Columbia government tabled Bill 16, Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act on February 28, 2013. With the adjournment of the Legislature on March 14, 2013 in anticipation of the May 14, 2013 provincial election, Bill 16 did not proceed past First Reading. Once the Legislature dissolves prior to the election, Bill…
Certain Sections of Helping Families in Need Act Proclaimed into Force
Sections 15, 16 and 21 of the Helping Families in Need Act (“Act”) have been proclaimed into force effective March 24, 2013. Sections 15 and 16 amend the Employment Insurance Act (“EI Act”) to allow insured and self-employed persons who are in receipt of employment insurance (“EI”) parental benefits to qualify for EI sickness benefits…
Leaves to Help Families Act Introduced
On March 5, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 21, Employment Standards Amendment Act (Leaves to Help Families), 2013. If passed, Bill 21 would allow eligible employees to take the following three unpaid leaves of absences: Family Caregiver Leave Employees would be entitled to take an unpaid leave of absence to provide care or support…