Industry: Education

University Disciplinary Decisions: Are they Reasonable? Are they Subject to the Charter?

· 6 min read

On May 9, 2012, the Alberta Court of Appeal released its judgment in the case of Pridgen v. University of Calgary. Justice Paperny identified the issue before the Court as follows: “Are students at public universities entitled to use social networking sites to criticize the instruction they receive? The University of Calgary said “no” and…

Ontario Anti-Bullying Bill Referred to Committee

· 1 min read

On May 3, 2012, Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, 2011, passed at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. As previously reported, Bill 13 is intended to address the issue of bullying in schools, and would, if passed, amend the Education Act to include a definition of bullying,…

Ontario Releases Proposed Grow-In Benefit Regulations

· 1 min read

Further to the release of pension reform proposals, on Thursday, May 3, 2012 the Ontario government published additional draft amendments to General regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”). As anticipated, the draft regulations prescribe additional “activating events” or circumstances that would trigger grow-in benefits for the purpose of s. 74(1), paragraph 3 of…

Long-Awaited Grow-In, Regulatory Pension Reforms Released

· 1 min read

On Monday, April 30, 2012, the Ontario Ministry of Finance published long-awaited, proposed regulatory amendments under the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”), including additional, proposed prescribed “activating events” for the purposes of grow-in benefits that come into force on July 1, 2012, for public commentary.

Regulation Proposed To Extend Filing Deadlines of Public Sector, BPS Pension Plans

· 1 min read

The Ontario government has proposed an amendment to Regulation 909 made under the Pension Benefits Act, Filing Extension for Certain Pension Plans in the Public Sector and Broader Public Sector. This regulation would extend the timeframe for these pension plans to file their actuarial valuation reports and extend the time for the commencement of special…

Federal Budget Implementation Bill Introduced (C-38)

· 2 min read

On April 26, 2012, the federal government introduced Bill C-38, Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, omnibus legislation intended to give effect to certain key initiatives outlined in its Budget 2012. Among other matters, Bill C-38 would, if passed, amend Part I of the Canada Labour Code (“Code”) to require each party to a collective…

Education Act Regulatory Amendment Filed (Honoraria)

· 1 min read

On April 18, 2012, the Ontario government filed an amendment to O. Reg. 357/06 under the Education Act (Honoraria for Board Members). O. Reg. 57/12 adds a new Part II (Rules For The Period From April 1, 2012 To March 31, 2014), imposing a temporary limit on honoraria for a chair, vice-chair or other member…

Ontario Announces Consultations on Public Sector Pension Plans

· 1 min read

The Ontario government has announced that it will begin consultations on a new legislative framework for jointly sponsored public sector pension plans. Further to its 2012 Budget reform proposals, the proposed framework will include as follows: in case of a new funding deficit, plans would be required to reduce future benefits or ancillary benefits before…