In This Issue 10 Top Developments in Human Resources Law in 2017 The Road Ahead: Key 2018 Implementation Dates Cross-Border Expertise Featured Articles 10 Top Developments in Human Resources Law in 2017 By: Amanda Lawrence-Patel 2017 was quite a year for news – with harassment revelations that have rocked institutions across North America, a new…
Practice Area: Pensions, Benefits & Compensation
Bill 177 Receives Royal Assent, Amends WSIA, OHSA, PBA and BPSECA
On December 14, 2017, Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017, received Royal Assent. Bill 177 is omnibus legislation which amends several statutes, including the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Pension Benefits Act and the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act. Workplace Safety and Insurance…
Hicks Morley Hits the Centre of the Bull’s-Eye Again for Labour Relations, Employment & Pensions The 2018 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
Hicks Morley is pleased to announce it has once again ranked as the leading law firm in the Labour Relations and Pensions category according to the 2017/2018 Lexpert® CCCA/ACCJE Corporate Counsel Directory and Yearbook. Practice groups included in this category are employment law, labour relations, labour relations (construction sector), occupational health & safety, pensions & employee benefits and workers’ compensation.
The (Funding) Future is Here: Ontario Releases Pension Funding Reform Details
On December 14, 2017, the Ontario government published the long-awaited details to support the proposed reforms to funding rules for Ontario pension plans. The proposed regulations describe the amendments to the Pension Benefits Act Regulations that will, among other things: Alter solvency funding obligations, by reducing the solvency deficiency required to be funded (such that…
Advantage CPD: Pension and Benefits 2018 – Thriving in the Face of Change
Legislative and regulatory reforms have recently been fast and furious. More pension and benefit related cases than ever are working their way through the system. In the face of such change, employers and plan administrators must be ready to act, making adjustments to plan design and administration.
Hicks Morley Recognized as a Leading Firm by Legal 500 Canada 2018
Hicks Morley has been recognized as a leader in the fields of Labour and Employment and Pensions law by the Legal 500 Canada 2018 guide. Highlighted by clients as “at the top of its field,” Hicks Morley “has the depth and experience to respond quickly with a complete view of the alternatives and risks.”
FTR Now Written by Natasha Monkman Mentioned in Benefits and Pensions Monitor on the Next Wave of Pension Reform
An FTR Now written by Hicks Morley’s Natasha Monkman was mentioned in the November 21, 2017 Benefits and Pensions Monitor Daily News Alert. The alert summarizes the FTR Now titled “Ontario’s Next Wave of Pension Reform”, which discusses the new legislation that will, if passed, change the retirement framework in Ontario – and the rules around pension plan administration, governance and funding.
Ontario’s Next Wave of Pension Reform
New legislation has been tabled that will, if passed, change the retirement framework in Ontario – and the rules around pension plan administration, governance and funding. The proposals outlined in Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017, include permanent solvency funding measures, discharges for annuity purchases, a new registry for missing beneficiaries, multi-employer pension plans and target benefits changes and a host of other key amendments. Learn more about these important Bill 177 pension proposals and how they could impact your organization in this FTR Now.
Regulations Amending the Old Age Security Act Regulations Released
On November 15, 2017, amendments to the Old Age Security Regulations (Regulations) were published in the Canada Gazette to: Phase in automatic enrollment for Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits, alongside enrollment for Old Age Security (OAS), by the 65th birthday of eligible individuals Revert the age of eligibility for OAS benefits to age 65 from…
Regulations Amending the Employment Insurance Regulations Released
Significant amendments to the Employment Insurance Regulations have been filed and were published in the Canada Gazette on November 15, 2017 to implement the availability of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits for the care of critically ill adult family members and the option to extend parental leaves, initiatives outlined in the 2017 Federal Budget. The changes…