On April 26, 2012, the federal government introduced Bill C-38, Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, omnibus legislation intended to give effect to certain key initiatives outlined in its Budget 2012. Among other matters, Bill C-38 would, if passed, amend Part I of the Canada Labour Code (“Code”) to require each party to a collective…
Industry: Municipalities & Municipal Agencies
2012 Waterloo Client Conference
Position Your Organization Ahead of the Field in Human Resources Since the founding of Hicks Morley in 1972, tremendous changes in the legal, social and technology landscape have affected the way employers in Canada manage their workplaces. Now more than ever, employers must take the lead and respond to the countless new and different challenges…
Ontario Announces Consultations on Public Sector Pension Plans
The Ontario government has announced that it will begin consultations on a new legislative framework for jointly sponsored public sector pension plans. Further to its 2012 Budget reform proposals, the proposed framework will include as follows: in case of a new funding deficit, plans would be required to reduce future benefits or ancillary benefits before…
Raising the Bar – Second Edition
Dear Friends, Spring has arrived, and with the changing of the season, what better time for us to deliver our second issue of Raising the Bar! We hope that this issue will invigorate your mind and spark your interest with fresh and noteworthy developments from the courts. This issue will “shine a light” on expert…
Ontario 2012 Budget Bill Introduced
On March 27, 2012, the Ontario government introduced Bill 55, Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012 (“Bill 55”), omnibus legislation designed to implement a number of the proposals contained in its 2012 Budget, “Strong Action For Ontario.” In part, Bill 55 proposes amendments to reform the interest arbitration process in Ontario that would…
Federal Government Tables Budget 2012
On March 29, 2012, the federal government tabled its 2012 Budget, Economic Action Plan 2012 – A Plan for Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity. Among other things, the Budget includes the following proposals: a requirement that federally regulated private sector employers insure the long-term disability plans they offer to employees; tax changes in respect of…
Ontario Budget – Highlights for Employers
On Tuesday, March 27, the Ontario Government introduced its 2012 Budget, which is entitled Strong Action for Ontario (the “Budget”). The Government also introduced Bill 55, the Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012 (“Bill 55”), omnibus legislation designed to implement a number of the proposals contained in the Budget. The Budget sets out…
Ontario 2012 Budget Introduced
On March 27, 2012, the Ontario government tabled its 2012 Budget, “Strong Action For Ontario.” The Budget comes on the heels of the Drummond Report, which was released in mid-February and which recommended sweeping reform measures aimed at increasing efficiencies within the broader public service and the delivery of a variety government programs. Key components…
Jurisdiction of an Arbitrator to Examine Procedures Issued by the Chief of Police
In two recent decisions involving the Toronto Police Services Board (“TPSB”) and the Toronto Police Association (“TPA”), Arbitrator Paula Knopf held that she lacked jurisdiction to hear grievances that challenged certain Procedures issued by the Chief of Police. In both cases, the TPSB raised successful preliminary objections and argued that the arbitrator lacked jurisdiction as…
Québec Budget 2012
On March 20, 2012, the Quebec government introduced its 2012-13 Budget. As expected, the government is moving forward with the joint federal-provincial initiative to provide small business owners and their employees with access to large-scale, low-cost, professionally administered pension plans. Accordingly, the Budget introduces Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans (“VRSPs”), mandatory group pension plans that all…