On June 10, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 181/13, amending O. Reg. 178/11, (Solvency Funding Relief for Certain Public Sector Pension Plans) made under the Pension Benefits Act. Among other things, O. Reg. 181/13 revokes and substitutes Schedule 1, Public Sector Pension Plans Receiving Stage One Solvency Funding Relief, to add a number…
Insights
Hicks Morley publishes a number of materials, both electronic and print, on issue-specific and sector-specific topics of interest to our clients. Our insights section has links to all of our various publications, updates and blogs, both current and historical, to keep you informed of developments in the law that impact human resources.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Budget Bill Referred to Committee
On June 5, 2013, Bill 65, Prosperous and Fair Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2013, carried on recorded division at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. As previously reported, Bill 65 is legislation which, if passed, will give effect to certain initiatives contained in the Ontario Budget…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Provisions of Helping Families in Need Act Proclaimed Into Force
The federal government has fixed June 9, 2013 as the day subsection 2(1) and sections 5, 13, 14, 17 to 20 and 22 to 25 of the Helping Families in Need Act come into force. These sections amend the Canada Labour Code to provide an unpaid leave to an eligible federally regulated employee whose child…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Alberta Passes PRPP Legislation
On May 7, 2013, Bill 18, Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act,passed Third Reading in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and received Royal Assent on May 27, 2013. Bill 18 authorizes pooled registered pension plans (“PRPPs”) to be made available to eligible employees and self-employed persons in Alberta and sets out the legal framework for the…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Introduces Electronic Personal Health Information Protection Bill
On May 29, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 78, Electronic Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2013. If passed, Bill 78 would amend certain statutes with respect to electronic health records. Such amendments would, among other things, add Part V.1, “Electronic Health Records” to the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (“PHIPA”) which includes: requiring…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Schedule to General FIPPA Regulation Amended
On May 17, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 157/13 amending Regulation 460 (General) made under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA”). O. Reg. 157/13 amends the Schedule to Regulation 460 by revoking and/or adding certain entities as designated institutions under FIPPA. With one exception, O. Reg. 157/13 came into…
FTR Now
The Ongoing Saga of the 24 Hour Firefighter Shift
In recent years, one of the top demands sought by fire associations at the bargaining table and at interest arbitration has been the 24 hour shift schedule. Many municipalities have continued to vigorously resist this demand. In our FTR Now “Three Recent Decisions, Three Different Results – An Update on the 24 Hour Shift in…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Consultation Process on HRTO Rules Announced
The Social Justice Tribunals Ontario (“SJTO”) has announced a consultation process regarding proposed new Common Rules of Procedure which will apply to Tribunals in the SJTO cluster, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“HRTO”). One proposed change of interest to employers and respondent service providers is the codification of existing case law regarding vexatious…
FTR Now
Proposed Class Action Dismissed: OLRB has Exclusive Jurisdiction
On May 9, 2013, the Ontario Superior Court dismissed a proposed class action brought by unionized employees who alleged that they were constructively or wrongfully dismissed following a plant closure by their employer, Navistar. Collective agreements had expired two years prior to the plant closure. The Court held that the continuation of the collective bargaining…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Québec Tables Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans Bill
On May 8, 2013, the Québec government tabled Bill 39, Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans Act. If passed, Bill 39 would create voluntary retirement savings plans (“VRSP”) for specified workers in Québec who do not have access to employer-sponsored retirement savings plans. As stated by the government, beginning in January 2014, firms which have at least…