FSCO Releases Final Records Retention Policy

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (“FSCO”) issued a records retention policy for pension plan administrators effective July 9, 2010. The policy is intended to provide guidance for “prudent records management and retention practices” relating to Ontario-registered pension plans. The policy was approved and issued following the introduction of a draft policy last year and…

Federal Budget Bill Receives Royal Assent

On Monday, July 12, 2010, Bill C-9, the Jobs And Economic Growth Act, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill C-9 was introduced on March 29, 2010 and is omnibus legislation that amends various Acts to implement certain key measures outlined in the federal government’s 2010 Budget. Amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Act (“PBSA”)…

Occupational Health And Safety Act Regulations Amended

On June 28, 2010, the Ontario government published O. Reg. 259/10 (Designated Substances) under the Occupational Health And Safety Act. In part, the regulation revokes and substitutes Table 1 of O. Reg. 490/09, which sets out exposure limits. The regulation comes into force July 1, 2010.

Final Pension Regulations Released for Private Pension Plan Members

On June 25, 2010, the federal government released final regulations amending the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985. The regulations follow the publication of previously reported draft regulations on May 8, 2010, and are intended to enhance protections for private pension plan members by reducing funding volatility and modernizing the rules for investments by pension funds….

New Workplace Violence Amendments to Ontario’s Occupational Health And Safety Act Take Effect

On June 15, 2010, Bill 168, the Occupational ­Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009, came into effect. As reported in our FTR Now of December 10, 2009, Bill 168 requires employers to develop policies and programs to address workplace violence and­ harassment a­nd to assess the risk of violence…

Hicks Morley Introduces Legislative Update Blog

Hicks Morley is pleased to announce the launch of Human Resources Legislative Update, a blog designed to provide human resources professionals with timely information about developments in a range of employment-related areas. In this FTR Now, we highlight the features of this new service. To access the blog click here. BACKGROUND Since 1997, Hicks Morley…

Federal Government Introduces Legislation to Create “PIPEDA 2.0”

On May 25th, the federal government introduced Bill C-29, the Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information Act, and Bill C-28, the Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act. If passed, these Bills would make changes to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA” or the “Act”) that are of significance to federal sector employers, as well…

FTR Now: Federal Legislation Introduced to Create “PIPEDA 2.0”

As previously reported, on May 25, 2010, the federal government introduced two Bills that if passed, would significantly amend PIPEDA: Bill C-29, the Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information Act and Bill C-28, the Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act. In our FTR Now of June 9. 2010, we summarize the major changes to PIPEDA outlined in…