Human Resources Legislative Update

New Education Act Regulation Filed – Supervised Alternative Learning, Excusals

On September 29, 2010, the Ontario government published O. Reg. 374/10 under the Education Act, which sets out the rules applicable to supervised alternative learning and other excusals from attendance at school. O. Reg. 374/10 revokes Regulation 308 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990, and will come into force on February 1, 2011.  

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Introduces Good Government Act, 2010

On Tuesday, October 5, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 110, the Good Government Act, 2010, omnibus legislation that would, if passed, make a number of amendments to various Acts, including several employment-related statutes.

Human Resources Legislative Update

WSIB Announces Funding Review of Unfunded Liability

On September 30, 2010, the Ontario government announced that Harry Arthurs will chair the Funding Review of the unfunded liability of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. As announced by the WSIB on the same date, the year-long Funding Review will gather input from experts and stakeholders regarding policy issues relating to the financial future…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Federal Government Introduces Sustaining Canada’s Economic Recovery Act

On September 30, 2010, the federal government introduced Bill C-47, the Sustaining Canada’s Economic Recovery Act. As outlined in the government announcement, Bill C-47 is omnibus legislation and addresses numerous measures of interest to employers including: income tax reforms relating to stock option plans and employee life and health trusts as outlined in the March…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Federal Government to Set Limits On EI Premium Rate Increase for 2011

On September 30, 2010, the federal government announced plans to limit the Employment Insurance (“EI”) maximum premium rate increase for 2011 to five cents per $100 of insurable earnings, and ten cents per $100 of insurable earnings for subsequent years. The rate increase is set by the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board, which by November…

Human Resources Legislative Update

FSCO Publishes FAQ on Surplus Distribution for Full or Partial Plan Wind Ups

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (“FSCO”) updated its long-running online “FAQ” for pension plan administrators to set out FSCO’s position on surplus distribution on full or partial plan wind ups in light of recent amendments to the Pension Benefits Act. A detailed discussion of the FAQ and FSCO’s position on this point is available…

FTR Now

Interest Arbitrator Awards Wage Increase to Unionized Nursing Home Employees

On September 15, 2010, Arbitrator Jesin released an interest arbitration award in which he awarded a 2% wage increase to unionized nursing home employees. In his reasons, he considered both the Ontario government’s March 2010 Budget and its subsequent directive that, as collective agreements are renegotiated, the government’s transfer payment partners and the corresponding bargaining…

Human Resources Legislative Update

New General Pension Regulation Amendments Filed

On September 17, 2010, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 367/10 under the Pension Benefits Act, amending Reg. 909 of R.R.O. 1990 (General). The amendments extend certain filing deadlines and funding schedules under the temporary solvency funding relief regulations for two university-sponsored pension plans. By way of background, Ontario’s temporary solvency funding relief regulations were…