“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” L.M. Montgomery Dear Friends, We are pleased to provide you with the fourth issue of Raising the Bar. Our batteries are recharged following a summer break, and we are ready for autumn! In this issue, we share with you recent decisions that you…
Industry: Professional & Technical Services
EI Rates Set for 2013
On September 14, 2012, the 2013 employment insurance premium rate for residents of all provinces (with the exception of Québec) was set at $1.88 per $100 of insurable earnings by resolution of the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board. The 2013 employment insurance premium rate for Québec residents was set at $1.52 per $100 of insurable…
2013 Basic Rate Set By Superintendent of Financial Institutions
On September 7, 2012, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions set the basic rate for the Office year beginning on April 1, 2013 at $10.00, pursuant to the Assessment of Pension Plans Regulations. This rate applies to pension plans with a year-end between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2013 and for newly…
October 1 Deadline to Display New Health and Safety Poster
Ontario employers must find room on their bulletin boards by October 1, 2012 to display a new Ministry of Labour poster entitled “Health and Safety at Work: Prevention Starts Here.” The poster was developed in response to a recommendation of the Expert Advisory Panel to review Ontario’s occupational health and safety system and summarizes key…
Four Hicks Morley Lawyers Recognized in Who’s Who Legal Canada (3rd Edition) 2012
Hicks Morley congratulates Christopher Riggs, Stephen Shamie, John Brooks and Craig Rix for being recognized in the Who’s Who Legal Canada (3rd Edition) 2012 Annual Compendium. This edition lists a compilation of Canada’s pre-eminent practitioners across 31 fields. Lawyers are selected for inclusion through a six-month research process in which Who’s Who Legal‘s researchers interview and…
Federal Government Introduces Helping Families in Need Act
On September 20, 2012, the federal government introduced Bill C-44, the Helping Families in Need Act, legislation that would, if passed, amend (among other things) both the Employment Insurance Act (“EI Act”) and the Canada Labour Code as follows: the EI Act will provide for a new specified sickness benefit for parents receiving EI parental…
Survivor Benefits Amendments Proclaimed in Force October 1, 2012
On September 8, 2012, amendments to section 44 of the Pension Benefits Act were proclaimed in force effective October 1, 2012. Specifically, the amendments clarify (1) that survivor benefits can be reduced on the death of either spouse, and (2) that consent will be required in order to commute small survivor benefits where the member…
Family Caregiver Leave Bill Passes Second Reading, Referred to Committee
On September 6, 2012, Bill 30, Family Caregiver Leave Act (Employment Standards Amendment), 2011 carried at Second Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. As previously reported, Bill 30 would, if passed, amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 to create Family Caregiver Leave. The leave would be available to all full-time,…
Québec VRSPs Bill Expires on Order Paper
As previously reported, in its March 2012 Budget the Québec government signalled its commitment to establish Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans (“VRSPs”), mandatory group pension plans that all employers in Québec employing at least five employees would have been required to implement, if they did not already provide a retirement savings plan for employees. The VRSPs…
Hicks Morley Ranks #1 in Labour and Employment Law in Best Lawyers® in Canada 2013
Hicks Morley once again ranked #1 in Canada in the field of Labour and Employment Law in Best Lawyers® in Canada 2013. Hicks Morley has more listed lawyers (25 in total) in this field than any other firm in Canada and is also the #1 ranked firm in Ontario. Toronto John E. Brooks Labour and…