Employer Permitted to Define “Spouse” under Benefit Plan to Exclude Married but Separated Spouses

In a recent decision of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal (“Tribunal”) in VanderLinde v. Oshawa (City)  (“VanderLinde”), the Tribunal found that it is not discriminatory for an employer to require that an employee’s legally married spouse be living with the employee as a condition of eligibility as a spouse under its group benefit plan. In…

Ontario Government Introduces Budget 2014

On May 1, 2014, the Ontario government tabled its Budget 2014: Building Opportunity, Securing Our Future. An FTR Now providing an analysis of proposals of interest to employers and plan administrators will be available shortly on our website.

Hicks Morley featured in Benefits Canada

Hicks Morley was cited in a Benefits Canada article posted on April 29, 2014 entitled “Ontario proposes changes to pension regulations“. The article references Hicks Morley’s FTR Now “Ontario Proposes Significant Pension Regulation Reforms” which discusses proposed amendments to Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act. View Article

2014 Toronto Client Conference

Stay on the leading edge of Human Resources change Change is a constant in the human resources world – with new laws and court decisions and the evolution of best practices. Employers must take the lead in responding to these emerging challenges – and Hicks Morley is pleased to be your partner in navigating this…

Ontario Proposes Significant Pension Regulation Reforms

On April 25, 2014, the Ontario government released four proposals (the “Proposals” or the “Proposal”) in respect of proposed amendments to Regulation 909 (the “Regulations”) under the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”) and is seeking comments from interested stakeholders. The Proposals relate to PBA reforms introduced or announced by the Ontario government over the past four…

Ontario Proposes Significant Regulatory Amendments under Pension Benefits Act

On April 25, 2014, the Ontario government announced a number of proposed amendments to Regulation 909 made under the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”), further to its ongoing pension reform initiatives. The government is inviting comments from stakeholders on the following proposals: Proposed Amendment to Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act: Disclosure of Environmental, Social…

Federal Government Consults Public on Proposed Target Benefit Plans Framework

On April 24, 2014, the federal government announced the launch of consultations on a potential federal framework for Target Benefit Plans (“TBP”). TBPs, if introduced through subsequent legislative reforms, would create a new pension design option available to federally regulated private sector and Crown corporation plan sponsors under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (“PBSA”)….

2014 Toronto Client Conference

Stay on the leading edge of Human Resources change Change is a constant in the human resources world – with new laws and court decisions and the evolution of best practices. Employers must take the lead in responding to these emerging challenges – and Hicks Morley is pleased to be your partner in navigating this…

Alberta Introduces Additional Pension Reforms

On April 16, 2014, the Alberta government introduced Bill 10, Employment Pension (Private Sector) Plans Amendment Act, 2014. Bill 10, if passed, will further amend the new Employment Pension Plans Act (“EPPA”). These proposed reforms are in addition to the amendments set out in Bill 10, Employment Pension Plans Act, which received Royal Assent on December…

2014 Toronto Client Conference

Stay on the leading edge of Human Resources change Change is a constant in the human resources world – with new laws and court decisions and the evolution of best practices. Employers must take the lead in responding to these emerging challenges – and Hicks Morley is pleased to be your partner in navigating this…