As previously reported, Ontario’s minimum wage is increasing to $11 effective June 1, 2014. On February 14, 2014, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 31/14 amending O. Reg. 285/01 made under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (Exemptions, Special Rules and Establishment of Minimum Wage) to implement these changes.
Industry: Professional & Technical Services
Proposed Amendment to CPP Regulations Defining “Substantially Gainful” Occupation
On February 15, 2014, the federal government published proposed Regulations Amending the Canada Pension Plan Regulations. If adopted, the proposed Regulations would prescribe the meaning of “‘substantially gainful’, in respect of an occupation” in subsections 42(1) and 89(1) of the Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”), one of the factors relevant to determining when a person is…
Federal Budget 2014 Introduced
Today, the federal government tabled its Budget 2014, The Road to Balance: Creating Jobs and Opportunities (Economic Action Plan 2014), a brief summary of which is outlined in a Department of Finance news release. Hicks Morley is in the process of reviewing the Budget. An FTR Now outlining the Budget’s highlights for employers and pension plan…
Ontario Proposes “10% Rule” Exemption for U.S. Government Securities
On February 5, 2014, the Ontario government published proposed amendments to Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act that would, if adopted, exempt investments in securities issued and fully guaranteed by the government of the United States of America (“U.S.”) from the so-called “10% rule” in respect of the quantitative investment limits applicable to registered…
Ontario Minimum Wage Increasing to $11 on June 1, 2014
On January 30, 2014, the Ontario government announced that the general minimum wage will increase from $10.25 to $11 per hour, effective June 1, 2014. This regulatory change is intended to reflect the increase in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) since the last minimum wage increase, which occurred in 2010. A list of the new minimum…
Stephen Shamie Quoted in Canadian Lawyer Magazine
Hicks Morley’s Stephen Shamie was quoted in the January 13, 2014 edition of Canadian Lawyer magazine in an article entitled, “Shifting sands.” The article discusses the demanding economic climate that labour and employment firms are facing in light of recent government pronouncements. Complimenting the article, Hicks Morley is listed as one of Canadian Lawyer’s top 10…
Stephen Shamie Named in 2014 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide
Hicks Morley is pleased to announce that Stephen Shamie has once again been recognized as one of the country’s top practitioners in the 2014 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. He is featured in the prestigious guide based on peer recommendations for his distinguished expertise in Labour Law.
Supreme Court of Canada Speaks on the Deductibility of Income Replacement Benefits from Wrongful Dismissal Damages
The Supreme Court of Canada has provided some much needed clarity to the issue of the deductibility of income replacement benefits from wrongful dismissal damages in its long-awaited decision, IBM Canada Ltd. v. Waterman (“Waterman“). Justice Cromwell, writing for the majority of the Court, dealt with the deductibility of pension benefit payments in particular. Ultimately,…
Paul Broad Quoted in Canadian Lawyer Magazine
Hicks Morley’s Paul Broad was quoted in the January 6, 2014 edition of Canadian Lawyer magazine in an article entitled “Bill 146 may be much ado about nothing.” The article discusses Bill 146, which proposes changes in statutes with respect to the regulation of temporary, unpaid, and foreign worker groups. If the Bill passes, Paul…
HRSDC Renamed Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
The Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (commonly known as “HRSDC”) has been rebranded as the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (“ESDC”). As previously reported, this change was implemented by the coming into force of Bill C-4, the Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 2.