1146 Results

Ontario Proposes “10% Rule” Exemption for U.S. Government Securities

On February 5, 2014, the Ontario government published proposed amendments to Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act that would, if adopted, exempt investments in securities issued and fully guaranteed by the government of the United States of America (“U.S.”) from the so-called “10% rule” in respect of the quantitative investment limits applicable to registered…

Hicks Morley Featured in Benefits and Pensions Monitor

On January 30, 2014, Benefits and Pensions Monitor commented on Hicks Morley’s recent Advantage session entitled “Times, They are a Changing in the Pension & Benefits World.” Natasha Monkman was featured in this edition for their contributing topics in our Advantage session. Terra discussed how reformation measures aim to find a medium between defined contribution and…

2014 Winter Edition

FOCUS ON SOCIAL SERVICES Balancing interests – legal challenges in the social services sector LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS The changing status of family status Workplace investigations: avoiding common pitfalls PROFILE Class act Download PDF

Federal Government Proposes Transitional Pension Funding Relief Regulations (Canada Post)

On December 21, 2013, the federal government published proposed transitional pension funding relief regulations that would temporarily relieve Canada Post Corporation from the requirement to make special payments to its defined benefit employee pension plan, as ordinarily required under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (“PBSA”), for a period of four years. The proposed amendments…

Ontario to Conduct Review of Health and Safety in Mining Sector

The Ontario government has announced that beginning in early 2014 the Chief Prevention Officer (Ministry of Labour) will be leading an advisory group in conducting a comprehensive health and safety review on a wide range of areas in the mining sector. Among other things, the review will include assessing existing health and safety regulations and…

Ontario Introduces Omnibus Legislation (Bill 151, Strengthening and Improving Government Act)

On December 11, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 151, the Strengthening and Improving Government Act, 2013, omnibus legislation that would, if passed, amend a number of Acts and affect a range of sectors. Highlights of the Bill include:  amendments to the Pension Benefits Act that would clarify spousal entitlements to pre- and post-retirement death…

Ontario Passes Employer Health Tax Act Amendments, Royal Assent Granted

On December 12, 2013, the Ontario government passed Bill 105, the Supporting Small Businesses Act, 2013. As previously reported, the Bill amends the Employer Health Tax Act to increase the exemption amount for eligible employers to $450,000 for the calendar years 2014 to 2018, after which an exemption amount would be adjusted every five years…

Significant Punitive Damages Arising from Employee Termination

In the last several years, there have been some significant punitive damages awards in employment cases, where the court found that an employer acted in a “callous” or “hardball” manner upon termination. This recently happened in Pate Estate v. Galway-Cavendish and Harvey (Township). A trial judge had awarded $550,000 against a Township which had acted…