June 1, 2011 has been named as the day on which subsections 1 (9) and 3 (3) and section 16 of Bill 120, the Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, come into force. These provisions relate to the recently reported filing of O. Reg. 177/11, and specifically, the change affecting jointly-sponsored…
Industry: Municipalities & Municipal Agencies
Ontario Files New JSPP and Phase II Funding Pension Regulations, BPS Solvency Funding Relief Regulations
On May 20, 2011, the Ontario government filed two new regulations under the Pension Benefits Act. O. Reg. 177/11 contains several amendments to the Pension Benefits Act General Regulation 909 (“Regulations”) relating to measures first introduced by the government when it tabled Bill 120, Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, which…
Ontario Signs Multi-Jurisdictional Pension Plan Agreement
On May 20, 2011, the Ontario government announced that it has signed the Agreement Respecting Multi-Jurisdictional Pension Plans (the “MJPPA”) (PDF) with the government of Quebec. The MJPPA will be effective July 1, 2011 for multi-jurisdictional pension plans where the “major authority” (province of registration) is Ontario or Quebec, and the pension plans have Ontario and…
Mandatory Retirement Legislation For Firefighters Ordered for Third Reading as Amended
On May 19, 2011, Bill 181, the Fire Protection and Prevention Amendment Act, 2011, was ordered for Third Reading after being reported as amended by the Standing Committee on General Government. The Committee amended the “Reasonable Accommodation” provision found in section 2 of the Bill to provide as follows: 53.1(4) A firefighter shall not be…
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Passes
On May 18, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, passed at Third Reading, as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. It is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the…
Ontario 2011 Budget Bill Receives Royal Assent
On May 12, 2011, Bill 173, the Better Ontario for Tomorrow Act (Budget Measures), 2011 received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill 173 is omnibus legislation amending a variety of statutes to implement certain initiatives outlined in the 2011 Ontario Budget tabled on March 23, 2011. The Bill should be consulted for coming into force…
Mandatory Retirement Legislation For Firefighters Referred to Committee
On May 11, 2011, Bill 181, the Fire Protection and Prevention Amendment Act, 2011, was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. As previously reported, Bill 181 would, if passed, amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 to provide for the mandatory retirement at age 60 of firefighters regularly assigned to fire…
Ontario 2011 Budget Bill Passes Third Reading as Amended
On May 10, 2011, Bill 173, the Better Tomorrow for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2011, carried at Third Reading after being reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. It is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly. The Committee amendments to Bill 173 with respect to the Pension Benefits Act relate…
Proposed Changes to OMERS Target Emergency Services Employees and High Income Earners
On May 4, 2011, the OMERS Sponsors Corporation (“SC”) made public seven proposed changes to the OMERS pension plans. The proposals have been put forward by various individual SC members in connection with the SC’s annual review of the OMERS pension plans. There are two main objectives: (1) improving the funded position of the top-up…
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Ordered for Third Reading
On May 4, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, was reported with amendments by the Standing Committee on Social Policy and ordered for Third Reading. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health…