FTR Now

On November 30, 2023, the federal government introduced Bill C-59, Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023 (Bill C-59). Bill C-59 follows the tabling of a Notice of Ways and Means Motion, and would give effect to various initiatives set out in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement (Statement). In this FTR Now, we highlight proposals contained…

FTR Now

In September 2023, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) published a new administrative policy that could impact the payroll deductions an employer must make in respect of employees who work fully remotely. The new policy will be effective January 1, 2024 and may require changes to the payroll tables applied to fully remote workers in 2024…

FTR Now

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) has released information on the renewal of its supervisory framework (Framework) for federally regulated financial institutions and pension plans. The new Framework is part of OSFI’s blueprint for transformation and is the first complete review of the Framework in almost 25 years. Purpose The Framework guides…

FTR Now

On April 27, 2023, Bill C-228, the Pension Protection Act, received Royal Assent and is now law. As a result, pension plan deficits will be required to be paid in priority to most other creditors, including secured creditors, during bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings. In this FTR Now we consider this development and its implications for…

FTR Now

Federal Government Tables 2023 Budget

· 3 min read

On March 28, 2023, the federal government tabled its 2023 budget, “A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future.” The Budget covers a wide array of initiatives. While health and dental care, efforts to make life more affordable, and investments in green energy are key areas of focus, the Budget includes several proposals…

FTR Now

The amendments contained in Bill C-30, Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1, which permanently extend the maximum number of weeks available under employment insurance (EI) sickness benefits, have been proclaimed into force effective December 18, 2022. In this FTR Now we consider this development and its implications for employers. Extension from 15 to 26 Weeks…

Human Resources Legislative Update

On May 2, 2022, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) issued a notice regarding new instruction guides that will be of interest to administrators of pension plans registered under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985. As the notice explains, administrators filing certain applications requiring the Superintendent’s approval will now need to do…

FTR Now

Federal Budget 2022 Tabled

· 2 min read

On April 7, 2022, the federal government tabled its 2022 Budget, “A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable.” The Budget covers a wide array of initiatives, and while housing, defence and climate change are its key focus areas, the Budget includes some proposals that will be of specific interest to employers,…

FTR Now

On July 30, 2021, the federal government proposed to further extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) until October 23, 2021 and to hold the maximum subsidy rate at 40% during the period between August 29, 2021 and September 25, 2021. The federal government also confirmed the end of CEWS support for payments made to…

FTR Now

On June 29, 2021, Bill C-30, Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1 (Bill C-30) received Royal Assent, giving effect to many of the initiatives found in the federal government’s 2021 Budget (see our FTR Now of April 23, 2021). Bill C-30 sets out the proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act (ITA) supporting the extension…

FTR Now

On April 29, 2021, the Ontario government tabled and passed Bill 284, COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, 2021 (Bill). The Bill amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) to provide eligible employees with up to three days of paid emergency leave in circumstances of absences relating to a designated infectious disease (Paid IDEL). As readers…

FTR Now

Key Highlights of Federal Budget 2021

· 26 min read

On April 19, 2021, the federal government tabled its 2021 Budget “A Recovery Plan For Jobs, Growth, And Resilience” (Budget). The Budget sets out a broad range of proposals stemming from the pandemic, such as an extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and an increase to the length of Employment Insurance (EI) sickness…

FTR Now

Proposed New PBGF Disclosure Requirements

· 3 min read

On April 15, 2021, the Ontario government released draft amendments to Ontario Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA), which provide new details of the Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund (PBGF) reporting requirements that will soon apply to registered pension plan administrators with Ontario members. In this FTR Now, we highlight the key details of…

FTR Now

Ontario Tables 2021 Budget

· 5 min read

On March 24, 2021, the Ontario government tabled its 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 269, Protecting the People of Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2021.   In this FTR Now, we highlight certain aspects of the Budget that are of broad interest to…