The (Funding) Future is Here: Ontario Releases Pension Funding Reform Details

On December 14, 2017, the Ontario government published the long-awaited details to support the proposed reforms to funding rules for Ontario pension plans. The proposed regulations describe the amendments to the Pension Benefits Act Regulations that will, among other things: Alter solvency funding obligations, by reducing the solvency deficiency required to be funded (such that…

Provincial Cannabis Act, Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 Receives Royal Assent

On December 12, 2017, Bill 174, Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017 received Royal Assent. As we previously reported, Bill 174 is omnibus legislation enacting the Cannabis Act, 2017 and the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation Act, 2017 which will regulate the cultivation, sale, distribution and consumption of cannabis in Ontario. It also…

The Road Ahead: Are You Prepared for Bill 148?

Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Betters Jobs Act, 2017 is now in force, having received Royal Assent on November 27, 2017. With it comes substantial changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA), as well as changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). In this FTR Now, we have consolidated and summarized the information provided to clients previously in a series of updates that tracked the development of Bill 148…

Deadline for Submissions on Exemptions under ESA Extended

As we previously reported, the Ontario government is seeking input on the following occupations currently exempted under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA): Architects Domestic Workers, Homemakers and Residential Care Workers IT Professionals Managerial and Supervisory Employees Pharmacists Residential Building Superintendents, Janitors and Caretakers The exclusion of domestic workers under the Labour Relations Act, 1995…

WSIB Rate Framework Policy Consultation Extended (Again)

As we previously reported, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board launched a public consultation on draft policies for the new Rate Framework, which is scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2020. In October 2017, the deadline for submissions for the Rate Framework Policy Consultation was extended to December 5, 2017. The deadline for submissions…

AODA Compliance: Are You Ready to File Your Report?

All organizations in Ontario employing at least one employee are required to comply with a series of requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) standards and regulations. For organizations with 20 or more employees, the next mandatory reporting deadline is December 31, 2017. Learn more about your pending and future AODA compliance obligations and our AODA Compliance Checklist for employers in this FTR Now.

Bill 148 Receives Royal Assent

On November 27, 2017, Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, received Royal Assent. Many provisions of  Bill 148 come into force on January 1, 2018, including the amendments to the Labour Relations Act, 1995. There are several exceptions to the general January 1, 2018 coming into force date for the Employment Standards Act,…