In accordance with the terms of a special time allocation motion that was passed on November 3, 2010, Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, was reported to the House as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and ordered for Third Reading on December 1,…
Practice Area: Pensions, Benefits & Compensation
Pension Reform Bill Referred to Committee Under Accelerated Schedule for Consideration and Debate
On November 3, 2010, the Ontario government passed a special time allocation motion setting out an accelerated timetable for the full consideration and debate of Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, by December 2, 2010.
Arbitrator Upholds Statutory Provisions Permitting Age-Based Distinctions in Benefits for Employees Aged 65 and Older
On October 31, 2010, Arbitrator Etherington issued a significant award on the interpretation of the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) and the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA, 2000” ), which effectively permit an employer to reduce or eliminate employee benefits once an employee reaches age 65. Arbitrator Etherington found that…
Ontario Releases Discussion Paper on Retirement Income System
On October 29, 2010, the Ontario government released a paper, “Securing our Retirement Future: Consulting with Ontarians on Canada’s Retirement Income System”, for public discussion, and reiterated its intention to amend the Pension Benefits Act in respect of employment-based defined benefit plans, among other matters.
Ontario Introduces Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010
As reported in our previous FTR Now, on October 20, 2010 the Ontario government introduced Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, reflecting a number of the reforms announced in the government’s news release of August 24, 2010. The Bill supplements the first phase of Ontario pension reforms, contained…
Ontario Introduces Further Pension Reforms
On October 19, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010. As previously reported, these pension reforms are intended to build on the first phase of reforms, which were passed earlier this year. The government has announced that the Bill 120 reforms would, if passed:…
Ontario Introduces Further Pension Reforms
On October 19, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010. As previously reported, these pension reforms will build on the first phase of reforms which were passed earlier this year.
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…
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…
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…