On December 7, 2012, Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made under the Canada Labour Code were registered. Among other things, the Regulations are intended to simplify the first aid training available to employees subject to federal jurisdiction through the following amendments to the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations: the definition of “approved organization” will now…
Industry: Professional & Technical Services
New Brunswick Introduces Bill to Amend Pension Benefits Act
On December 11, 2012, Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act, received First Reading in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. It received Second Reading on December 12, 2012. If passed, Bill 20 will, among other things, amend the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”) to make the following clarifications regarding shared risk pension…
Federal Pooled Registered Pension Plan (PRPP) Framework Now in Force
On December 14, 2012, the federal government announced that the second and final tranche of the regulations under the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act (“Act”) came into force on that day, following the conclusion of a period for public comment. As previously reported, these supporting regulations address provisions of the Act, including: general requirements regarding…
Second Omnibus Budget Bill (C-45) Receives Royal Assent
On December 14, 2012, Bill C-45, Jobs and Growth Act 2012, passed Third Reading in the Senate and received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill C-45 is the federal government’s second omnibus budget bill which gives effect to certain initiatives contained in its Budget 2012. The Bill should be consulted for coming into force information….
Helping Families in Need Act Receives Royal Assent
On December 14, 2012, Bill C-44, Helping Families in Need Act, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill C-44 will, among other things, make certain amendments to the Canada Labour Code regarding an employee’s right to take leave if his or her child is critically ill or dies or disappears as the suspected result of…
Bill Requiring Disclosure of Information by Labour Organizations Passes Third Reading
On December 12, 2012, Bill C-377, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Requirements for labour organizations) passed Third Reading in the House of Commons and proceeded to the Senate for First Reading. As previously reported, Bill C-377 is a private member’s bill which, if passed, will amend the Income Tax Act to require…
Helping Families in Need Act Awaiting Royal Assent
On December 12, 2012, Bill C-44, Helping Families in Need Act, passed Third Reading in the Senate and is now awaiting Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill C-44 will, among other things, make certain amendments to the Canada Labour Code regarding an employee’s right to take leave if his or her child is critically ill…
Amendments to Federal Political Activities Regulations Registered
On November 14, 2012, Regulations Amending the Political Activities Regulations made under the Public Service Employment Act were registered. The amendments are intended to facilitate the application of the Political Activities Regulations and to clarify certain provisions of those Regulations.
Lauri Reesor Quoted in Canadian Lawyer Legal Feeds
Hicks Morley’s Lauri Reesor was quoted in the December 7, 2012 edition of Canadian Lawyer Legal Feeds. In an article entitled “Case law gap in age-related workplace discrimination,” Lauri comments on the difficulty of addressing workplace discrimination based on age-related disability. She emphasizes that encouraging older workers to retire may constitute discrimination however, once an…
Third Window for BPS Solvency Funding Relief Proposed
On December 5, 2012, the Ontario government posted a regulatory proposal regarding amendments to O. Reg. 178/11 (Solvency Funding Relief for Certain Public Sector Pension Plans), made under the Pension Benefits Act. Comments on the proposal are due by January 20, 2013. Under the proposal, the third and final window for solvency funding relief for…