Regulation under Section 80.1 of the Pension Benefits Act Proposed

The Ontario government has proposed a new regulation relating to pension asset transfers made under section 80.1 of the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”). Proposed content for this regulation was previously posted for consultation in July 2011. This regulation is required before section 80.1 of the Act comes into effect. Once proclaimed into force, that section…

Susan Nickerson Quoted in Canadian Lawyer

Hicks Morley’s Susan Nickerson was quoted in the February 2013 edition of Canadian Lawyer. In an article entitled, “The pension conundrum”, Susan comments on a British Columbia case where two employees won a wrongful dismissal claim which focused entirely on projected losses associated with their pensions. Susan states, “the concept of being in a pension…

Rachel Arbour Interviewed by the Canadian Bar Association’s National TV

Hicks Morley’s Rachel Arbour was recently interviewed by the Canadian Bar Association’s National TV. In the interview, Rachel answers questions regarding the Indalex ruling and explains what it means to companies that sponsor and administer defined benefit pension plans. Watch the interview. Read our FTR Now which summarizes the Supreme Court’s decision in Indalex.

Supreme Court of Canada Weighs in on Plan Deficits and the Fiduciary Duty of Pension Plan Administrators in an Insolvency: Sun Indalex Finance, LLC v. United Steelworkers

INTRODUCTION On February 1, 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada issued its highly anticipated decision in Sun Indalex Finance, LLC v. United Steelworkers, largely overturning the 2011 Ontario Court of Appeal decision. The Supreme Court upheld an expansive definition of the deemed trust under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”) and struck down a constructive…

Supreme Court of Canada to Render Indalex Decision on February 1, 2013

The Supreme Court of Canada has announced that it will render its decision in Sun Indalex Finance, LLC et al. v. United Steelworkers et al. (“Indalex“) on Friday, February 1, 2013. The appeal relates to a decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario that granted “super-priority” to pension funding deficits in a Companies’ Creditors…

Nortel Pension Plans Regulation Filed

On January 15, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 10/13, Nortel Pension Plans, made under the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”) In May 2011, the Act was amended to allow all pensioners of two specified Nortel Networks pension plans to transfer the commuted value of their benefits out of the plans. O. Reg. 10/13 prescribes…

Algoma Steel Pension Plan Regulation Amended

On January 11, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 7/13, amending O. Reg. 202/02 “Algoma Steel Inc. Pension Plans” made under the Pension Benefits Act. The regulation is effective as of the date of filing. It makes a number of housekeeping amendments to O. Reg. 202/02 by changing the name “Algoma Steel Inc.” to…

Hicks Morley Named in 2013 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide

Hicks Morley is pleased to announce it has been ranked as the leading law firm in the Labour Relations and Pensions category according to the 2013 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. Practice groups included in this category are Employment Law, Labour Relations, Occupational Health & Safety, Pensions & Employee Benefits…

Regulatory Amendments Enacted to Allow CPPIB/PSPIB to Rely on Prudent Person Standard

On December 14, 2012, Regulations Amending the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Regulations were registered. As previously reported and of particular note, this amendment repeals section 12 of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Regulations (“CPPIBR”) which established quantitative investment limits in respect of Canadian resource and real properties. The repeal of this section aligns…