1625 Results

Omnibus Workplace Laws Bill Receives Royal Assent (Bill 18)

On November 20, 2014, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 (“Bill 18”) received Royal Assent, as amended by the Standing Committee on General Government. Among other matters, effective February 20, 2015 (i.e. three months after Royal Assent): the $10,000 cap on orders to pay wages under s. 103(4) of the…

Plans May Request Relief For Alberta EPPA Amendment Filing Deadline

As we recently reported, Alberta’s new Employment Pension Plans Act (“EPPA”) became effective September 1, 2014, and amendments to comply with the new EPPA rules were to be filed with the Alberta pension regulator by December 31, 2014. On November 19, 2014, the Alberta government announced that a plan sponsor (or its legal, actuarial or third…

Solvency Funding Exemptions Extended Through 2017

On November 7, 2014, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 207/14, amending O. Reg. 177/11 (as amended by O. Reg. 330/12) which amended Regulation 909 (General) made under the Pension Benefits Act. As previously reported, the definition of “solvency concerns” sets out the circumstances under which defined benefit pension plans are required to file annual actuarial valuations (instead of triennially)….

The Ministry of Labour and Ebola Preparedness

In light of recent concerns regarding the outbreak of Ebola abroad, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) has been conducting a series of Ebola preparedness investigations targeting hospitals and paramedic services. In this FTR Now, we outline best practices for handling an investigation by the MOL and consider the right of employees – including health…

Divisional Court Upholds Jan Wong’s Obligation to Repay Settlement Funds for Breach of Confidentiality

The Ontario Divisional Court has unanimously upheld Arbitrator Louisa Davie’s decision that Jan Wong breached her confidentiality obligations under a settlement with her former employer, The Globe and Mail (the “Globe”) and is bound by the repayment obligation she agreed to as part of the settlement. The Court held that Ms Wong lacked standing to…

Omnibus Workplace Laws Bill Amended at Committee Stage (Bill 18)

On November 4, 2014, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 (“Bill 18”) was reported back to the Legislature as amended by the Standing Committee on General Government, and has been ordered for Third Reading. Among other things, the Committee’s amendments will accelerate the coming into force of key amendments, including the following…

FSCO Consultation on Proposed Investment Guidance Note (Prudent Investment Practices for Derivatives)

On October 24, 2014, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (“FSCO”) published a new proposed Investment Guidance Note in respect of Prudent Investment Practices for Derivatives (“Derivatives Guidance Note”). Once finalized, the Derivatives Guidance Note will provide plan administrators detailed guidance with respect to prudent investment practices related to derivatives. The Derivatives Guidance Note sets out…

Paul Broad Quoted in Law Times

Hicks Morley’s Paul Broad was quoted in the October 6, 2014 edition of Law Times magazine in an article entitled “Labour lawyers watching as SCC pronounces on key employment law issues.” Among other things, Paul comments on the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v. Saskatchewan decision, currently on reserve at the Supreme Court of Canada, which…