Hicks Morley’s Stephen Shamie was quoted by Lexpert US/Canada Cross-Border Guide in the June 14, 2019 article titled, “Cannabis in the Workplace.” The article examines employee rights and employer obligations post cannabis legalization.
Practice Area: Pensions, Benefits & Compensation
OMHRA Summer 2019 ECHO Newsletter Features Articles Authored by Hicks Morley Lawyers
The Summer 2019 issue of OMHRA’s ECHO newsletter features two articles authored by Hicks Morley lawyers. In the article “Advanced Planning Required by Municipalities to Respond to New Changes to OMERS,” Natasha Monkman discusses how Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System participating employers will need to plan in advance to respond to the changes that will be made effective on January 1, 2021…
Ontario Clarifies DB Funding Reforms under the Pension Benefits Act
On May 21, 2019, the Ontario government filed Regulation 105/19 amending Regulation 909 (General Regulation) under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA). The amendments mainly relate to clarifying elements of the defined benefit (DB) funding rules that took effect on May 1, 2018. Many of the new clarifications have been requested by the pension industry over…
Ontario Budget Bill (Bill 100) Passes
As previously reported, on April 11, 2019, the Ontario government released its 2019 Budget and introduced Bill 100, Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019. Bill 100 received Royal Assent on May 29, 2019. Of particular interest to employers and human resource professionals are the amendments made to the following statutes: Public Sector Labour…
The End of Health and Welfare Trusts: Proposed Amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada)
On May 27, 2019, the federal Department of Finance announced proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) (ITA), to facilitate the conversion of existing Health and Welfare Trusts (HWTs) into Employee Life and Health Trusts (ELHTs), and to improve the existing ELHT rules. Comments on the proposed ITA amendments are invited by July 31, 2019…
Hicks Morley Lawyers Named Leading Practitioners in the 2019 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
Hicks Morley congratulates each one of our lawyers who has been recognized as a leading practitioner in the 2019 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory.
Advanced Planning Required for New Changes to OMERS
Since we first reported on the recently adopted changes to the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) to eliminate the 35-year cap on credited service; and expand the normal retirement age 60 opportunity to paramedic employee groups.
Changes to Ontario’s Annuity Purchase and Discharge Rules – Bill 57 Amendments and Draft Supporting Regulations
New draft regulations support and provide additional details respecting the rules governing annuity purchases and related statutory discharges under the Pension Benefits Act. Learn more in this FTR Now.
Ontario’s New Variable Benefits Regime for Defined Contribution Plans – Draft Regulations
With the release of draft regulations, Ontario moves a step closer to allowing variable benefits to be paid directly from defined contribution pension plans.
Federal Government Tables 2019 Budget Bill
On April 8, 2019, the federal government introduced Bill C-97, Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1, for first reading. Bill C-97 is omnibus legislation enacting certain measures outlined in the 2019 Federal Budget. Below are some of the key amendments of interest to employers, pension plan administrators and human resources professionals.