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…

Hicks Morley Advises on One of Lexpert’s Top 10 Deals of 2017

The restructuring of Stelco Inc. has been listed as one of Lexpert Magazine’s Top 10 Deals of 2017 and Hicks Morley, who acted for Stelco Inc. during the restructuring process as Labour and Pension and Benefits counsel, is recognized for the firm’s contributions.

Ontario Seeks Comments on Proposed New Funding Rules for PBGF Assessments

Much anticipated proposed regulatory amendments respecting the formula for calculating Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund (PBGF) assessments were published by the Ontario government on January 19, 2018 (Proposed Regulations).  With unproclaimed amendments to the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) set to enhance PBGF protection by increasing the guarantee from $1,000/month to $1,500/month, the proposed changes to the PBGF assessment formula are intended to maintain the viability of the PBGF.