On May 13, 2010, Bill 54, the Retirement Savings Plans for Employees and Self-Employed Persons Act, 2010 was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Bill 54 is a Private Member’s Public Bill, first introduced on May 5, 2010. As outlined in our FAQ section, historically, very few Private Member Bills progress beyond the…
Industry: Social Services
New Federal Pension Regulation Amendments Proposed
On May, 8, 2010, the Federal government published proposed amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985. The proposed amendments would: amend the funding rules to adopt a new standard for establishing minimum funding requirements on a solvency basis using average (rather than current) solvency ratios to determine minimum funding requirements; introduce a solvency margin…
Ontario’s Wage Freeze Legislation Ordered for Third Reading
On May 6, 2010, the Creating the Foundation for Jobs and Growth Act, 2010 (Bill 16) was reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Originally introduced on March 26, 2010, the Bill is omnibus legislation amending various Acts to give effect to the initiatives outlined in its 2010 Budget. Of…
Mandatory Reporting of Internet Child Pornography by “Persons” Providing an Internet Service
On May 6, 2010, the Federal government introduced Bill C-22, the Protecting Children From Online Sexual Exploitation Act, legislation that would impose mandatory duty on “persons” (defined to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, unincorporated associations or organizations) providing an “internet service” (internet access, e-mail or internet content hosting) to report child pornography in specific cases. This…
Ontario Passes New Pension Reform Legislation
On May 5, 2010, Bill 236, the Pension Benefits Amendment Act, 2010 carried at Third Reading, and is expected to receive Royal Assent. Bill 236 was reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on April 19, 2010.
Federal Budget Bill Carries at Second Reading, Sent to Committee
On April 19, 2010, Bill C-9, the Jobs And Economic Growth Act, carried at Second Reading and was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduced on March 29, 2010, Bill C-9 is omnibus legislation designed to amend various Acts and implement certain key measures outlined in the federal government’s 2010 Budget. In part, the Bill outlines…
Ontario Government Passes Workplace Violence Legislation
On December 9, 2009, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009. Bill 168 will come into effect on June 15, 2010. Bill 168, which requires employers to develop policies to address workplace violence and harassment and to assess the risk of violence…
Alcohol and the Office Party
With the holiday season approaching, employers are once again planning their holiday festivities. Whether the festivity is large or small, it remains as important as ever that employers take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees who attend office parties or other celebrations. Over the years, a number of court decisions…
AODA Update: Final Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard Released
Employers and human resources practitioners in Ontario need to know about the latest development under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). The Ontario government just released the Final Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard (“Final Proposed Standard”), which, if adopted as law in its current form, will broadly impact the employment practices of nearly…
Bill 168, The Occupational Health And Safety Amendment Act (Violence And Harassment In The Workplace) 2009, Carried At Second Reading
On October 20, 2009, Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) 2009 was debated and carried at Second Reading. The Bill has been Ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy by the Ontario Legislature. As you may know, the Committee review process can take days,…