On April 11, 2013, O. Reg. 131/13, amending Regulation 909 (General) made under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act, was filed and came into force on that date. O. Reg. 131/13 amends subsection 47.7.2 (1) of Regulation 909 to add the following paragraph: 4. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, registered under the Act as number 0345785. As…
Industry: Social Services
Ontario Introduces Security for Critical Facilities Legislation
On April 10, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 51, Security for Courts, Electricity Generating Facilities and Nuclear Facilities Act, 2013. If passed, Bill 51 would: Repeal the Public Works Protection Act; Amend the Police Services Act to establish powers that may be exercised by an authorized person relating to court security and to create…
Saskatchewan Introduces PRPP Legislation
On April 8, 2013, the government of Saskatchewan introduced Bill 92, The Pooled Registered Pension Plans (Saskatchewan) Act. If passed, Bill 92 would authorize pooled registered pension plans (“PRPPs”) to be made available to provincially regulated employees and self-employed persons in Saskatchewan. Subject to the legislation and any supporting regulations, the requirements set out in…
New EI Benefit Rate Calculation to Come Into Force April 7, 2013
On April 7, 2013, certain amendments to the Employment Insurance Act (“EI Act”) made by the federal government’s Budget 2012 legislation, Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, will come into force and create a new benefit rate calculation for employment insurance benefits. As of April 7, 2013, the calculation of the benefit rate of most…
Ontario Launches Consultation on Development of Occupational Health and Safety Strategy
The Ontario Ministry of Labour has launched a consultation process further to the development of its first province-wide integrated occupational health and safety strategy. It has issued a consultation paper, “An Integrated Occupational Health and Safety Strategy for Ontario”, for review and comment by stakeholders. Feedback is invited on issues such as: addressing the needs…
The Science of Data Breach Prevention and the Art of Breach Response
Organizations should be paying close attention to data loss prevention and response in light of recent developments. Recent media frenzies over the loss of portable storage devices illustrate that individuals’ fears and perceptions can cause great pressure on organizations even when the risk of real harm to individuals is remote. In addition, the risk of…
Federal Budget 2013 Highlights
On March 21, 2013, the federal government tabled its Budget 2013, Jobs Growth and Long Term Prosperity – Economic Action Plan 2013. Some of the highlights of interest to employers and pension plan administrators include: simplified GST/HST pension plan rules for employers; amendments to the Income Tax Act to permit the correction of reasonable pension…
Federal Gender Identity, Gender Expression Bill Passes Third Reading
On March 20, 2013, Bill C-279, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (gender identity and gender expression), a Private Member’s Bill, passed Third Reading in the House of Commons and proceeded to the Senate for debate. If passed, Bill C-279 will add gender identity and gender expression as…
Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013 Introduced
On March 20, 2013, Bill 32, Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013, was introduced in the Ontario Legislature. Bill 32 is a Private Member’s Bill which is co-sponsored by three Members of Provincial Parliament, one from each of the Liberal, PC and NDP parties. Bill 32 reintroduces Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2011,…
Federal Budget 2013 Introduced
Today, the federal government tabled its Budget 2013, Jobs, Growth and Long Term Prosperity – Economic Action Plan 2013. Hicks Morley is in the process of reviewing the Budget. An FTR Now outlining the Budget’s highlights for employers and pension plan administrators will be available shortly on our website.