On March 6, 2018, the Ontario government introduced Bill 203, Pay Transparency Act, 2018, which creates certain requirements for employers regarding compensation information and its disclosure to employees and potential employees. If passed, Bill 203 would, among other things: prohibit employers from seeking the compensation history regarding a potential employee, although that person may voluntarily…
Industry: Education
Regulation Made Under School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 Sets Out Minister’s Authority as Crown Representative
On March 1, 2018, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 50/18 “Minister’s Authority as Crown Representative” made under the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 (Act). O. Reg. 50/18 sets out the Minister’s authority to exercise the powers of the Crown under the Act. In table format, the Regulation specifies the general nature of the Crown…
Federal Budget 2018
On February 27, 2018 the federal government tabled its 2018 Budget, Equality & Growth: A Strong Middle Class (Budget). The Budget contains several key initiatives, including a new Employment Insurance parental sharing benefit, the permanent extension and expansion of the Employment Insurance Working While on Claim pilot project…
2018 Federal Budget Tabled
On February 27, 2018, the federal government tabled its Budget 2018, Equality + Growth: A Strong Middle Class. We are currently reviewing the Budget and an FTR Now which highlights initiatives of particular interest to employers, human resource professionals and pension plan administrators will be available shortly on our website. (Editor’s Note: Our FTR Now,…
FSCO Launches Targeted Compliance Review of Member Option Statements
In March, 2018, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) will commence a targeted review of pension plan member option statements to verify compliance with key requirements under the Pension Benefits Act (Act) and FSCO policies. In particular, FSCO will focus its targeted review on whether plan administrators are: meeting requirements for statement content and…
Reminder: Universities and Colleges to Have Student-Specific Sexual Violence Policies in Place by January 1, 2017
On January 1, 2017, amendments to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act and the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 made by Bill 132 (Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015) come into force…
New Definition of “Spouse” in Ontario to Affect Plan Administration, Insurance & Succession Rules
Pending legislative changes to the definition of “spouse” in Ontario are set to impact pension plan administration and insurance claims in Ontario, further to amendments recently enacted by Bill 28, All Families Are Equal Act (Parentage and Related Registrations Statute Law Amendment), 2016…
Protecting Students Act Passes Third Reading
On November 15, 2016, Bill 37, Protecting Students Act, 2016, passed Third Reading…
Post-Retirement Benefits Changes Affecting Members of the Ontario Public Service
On November 11, 2016 the government of Ontario and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) reached an agreement regarding post-retirement benefits (PRBs) for members of the OPSEU Pension Plan. The Ontario government subsequently announced that the terms of that agreement would be extended to members of the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), subject to…
WSIB Rate Framework Approved
On November 14, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) approved its new Rate Framework which fundamentally changes the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets their premium rates. The Rate Framework has a targeted implementation date of January 2019. On the same date, the Board of…