On August 16, 2011, the Department of Finance released draft legislative and regulatory proposals to implement a number of key tax measures first introduced by the federal government in Budget 2011, the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan—A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth. In part, “Legislative Proposals Relating to the Income Tax Act…
Industry: Social Services
Taxation Rules for Lump Sum Amounts Received in Lieu of Benefits Coverage
In June, 2011, the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) announced new rules governing lump sum payments made to employees or retirees in lieu of their healthcare coverage. These new rules, which come into effect on January 1, 2012, followed the announcement in the 2011 federal Budget that CRA was re-examining its position on these payments (see…
Supporting Regulations Proposed for Transfer Agreements under Section 80.1
The Ontario government has posted proposed content for Pension Benefits Act regulations for public review and commentary. These regulations are required before amendments to section 80.1 of that Act come into effect. Once proclaimed in force, section 80.1 of the Act will allow the administrators of certain public sector plans to negotiate agreements to give…
Anti-spam Regulation Proposed Under Bill C-28
On July 9, 2011, the federal government published proposed Electronic Commerce Protection Regulations under Bill C-28, the so-called “anti-SPAM” legislation. The proposed Regulations are administrative in nature and specifically provide definitions for terms used in Bill C-28, including “personal relationship” and “family relationship”. The Regulations also define the specific conditions under which consent would be…
House of Commons Adjourns until September 19, 2011
On Sunday June 26, 2011, the federal House of Commons adjourned until 11:00 a.m. (EDT) Monday, September 19, 2011.
Application of PSLRTA Extended by Regulation to Amalgamations of Children’s Aid Societies
On June 27, 2011, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 314/11 under the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, 1997 (“Act”). O. Reg 314/11 extends the application of the Act to the amalgamations of any two or more of the children’s aid societies designated in the regulation. O. Reg. 314/11 came into force on July…
Bill 133 Regulations (Asset Division on Marriage Breakdown) Filed Under Pension Benefits Act
On June 24, 2011, the Ontario government filed long-anticipated regulations in support of amendments to the Pension Benefits Act effected by Bill 133, the Family Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009. O. Reg. 287/11 (Family Law Matters) follows the previously reported March 2011 release of draft regulations and a related Consultation Paper, and reflects that consultation…
FSCO Releases Guidance Note on Revised CIA Standards of Practice
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (“FSCO”) released its Guidance Note (PDF) with respect to how it expects plans to apply the revised Canadian Institute of Actuaries’ (“CIA”) Practice-Specific Standards for Pension Plans (the “Standards”). The Guidance Note expressly states that the application of some of the CIA revisions to the Standards, which became effective…
Broader Public Sector Perquisites Directive Issued by the Ontario Government
Management Board of Cabinet has issued the Broader Public Sector Perquisites Directive (the Directive), dated August 2, 2011, which will apply to any person in a designated broader public sector (BPS) organization, including appointees, board members, elected officials (e.g. school trustees) and employees. The Directive has been issued under the provisions of the Broader Public…
Pension Agreements With “Designated Jurisdictions,” Aggregate Funding of AbiBow Pension Plan Regulations Filed
On June 3, 2011, the Ontario government filed two regulations under the Pension Benefits Act. O. Reg. 195/11 amends General Regulation 909 by creating a new section, “Designated Jurisdictions and Agreements with Designated Jurisdictions”, and a Table listing multi-jurisdictional agreements entered into under section 100 of the Act, and the date on which the agreement…