On March 23, 2011, Bill C-22, an Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill C-22 imposes a mandatory duty on persons providing an “internet service” (a service providing internet access, e-mail or internet content hosting) to the public to…
Industry: Social Services
Federal 2011 Budget Introduced
On March 22, 2011, the federal government introduced its 2011 Budget “A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth”. Highlights in the Budget of interest to employers include: elimination of the mandatory retirement age for federally regulated employees volunteer firefighters tax credit anti-avoidance rules for RRSPs increase in EI premiums limited to 5 cents in 2011…
Québec proposes stronger retirement income system
On March 17, 2011, the Québec government tabled its 2011-2012 Budget. The Budget proposed, among other things, to strengthen Québec’s retirement income system by: making adjustments to the Québec Pension Plan, as of January 1, 2012, to guarantee a new basic income to Québecers at retirement; and undertaking to implement new Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans…
Good Government Bill Passes Third Reading
On March 7, 2011, Bill 110, the Good Government Act, was carried at Third Reading. As previously reported, Bill 110 is omnibus legislation that would, if passed, make a number of amendments to various Acts, including several employment-related statutes. The Bill should be consulted for coming into force information.
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Introduced
On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government introduced Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 (PDF). The proposed Bill 160 amendments, which are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety, would significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”), by:…
Draft Pension Regulations (Asset Division on Marriage Breakdown) Posted for Public Comment
On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government posted draft regulations under Bill 133, the Family Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009, and a related Consultation Paper for public review and comment. Among other family law-related matters, Bill 133 amends the Pension Benefits Act and creates new rules governing both: (1) the valuation of pension assets by…
Registered Human Resources Professionals Bill Referred to Committee
On March 3, 2011, Bill 138, the Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2010, passed Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. As previously reported, Bill 138 is a Private Member’s Bill that was introduced in the Ontario Legislature on November 23, 2010. If passed, it would create a more…
Proposed AODA Integrated Accessibility Regulation Posted For Public Comment
On February 1, 2011, the Ontario government published its proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation (“IAR”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) for final public review and commentary. This draft regulation reflects public input received on the initial draft Integrated Accessibility Standard summary of proposed regulatory requirements released in September 2010. Among the…
Ontario Legislative Assembly Resumes Sitting
On February 22, 2011, the House resumed sitting.
New Federal Family Support Garnishment Regulations
On February 19, 2011, the federal government proposed new regulations under the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act relating to the garnishment of designated federal monies for the purposes of family support obligations. Specifically, the proposed regulations would designate two new income-related federal sources of funds under section 3 of the Act, including payments…