On January 29, 2021, the federal government announced that it will be amending the Employment Insurance (EI) regulations to temporarily waive the one-week waiting period for EI claimants who establish a new claim between January 31, 2021 and September 25, 2021. This change is in response to the ongoing restrictions on businesses arising out of…
Practice Area: Pensions, Benefits & Compensation
Osgoode Certificate in Pension Law: The Retirement Savings System
Overview Designed and taught by Canada’s leading pensions experts, this unique program will provide you with the key knowledge, practical strategies and guidance you need to succeed in the complex world of pensions. Overview of the Canadian Retirement System Different Types of Pension Plans: Defined benefit Defined contribution Multi-employer Jointly sponsored Public sector Canada/Quebec Pension…
Proposed Legislation to Ensure International Travellers Will Not Be Eligible for Recovery Benefits During Mandatory Quarantine Period
On January 11, 2021, the federal government announced that it will be proposing legislation to ensure international travellers returning to Canada will not be eligible to receive any of the recovery benefits – the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) – for their mandatory…
Fall Economic Statement Announces Proposals Related to Employee Stock Options and Home Office Expense Deductions
On November 30, 2020, the Department of Finance released Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19: Fall Economic Statement 2020 (Fall Economic Statement). In this FTR Now, we focus on two key proposals contained in the Fall Economic Statement that will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals: (i) proposed amendments to the employee stock…
Ontario Tables Fall Budget 2020
On November 5, 2020, the Ontario government tabled its 2020 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 229, Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020(Bill 229).
Important Updates Regarding the Extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
On October 14, 2020, the Department of Finance Canada released its latest backgrounder regarding the CEWS. The Extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy backgrounder (Backgrounder) summarizes a number of new and recently announced changes to the CEWS, including the extension of the CEWS to June 2021.
Supreme Court Clarifies Employee Incentive Plan Entitlements During Notice Period
On October 9, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Matthews v. Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. It confirmed that where terminated employees would be entitled to a bonus or other incentive payments during the reasonable notice period, employers must use clear and unambiguous language to remove or limit their common law rights. The Supreme Court also distinguished between the obligation to provide reasonable notice of termination and a breach of the duty to exercise good faith in the manner of dismissal.
Proposed Extension of Current Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Calculation for Inactive Employees Through Claim Period 8
The federal government has announced that it intends to extend the current treatment of employees on leave with pay under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program by a further four weeks, from September 27, 2020 to October 24, 2020 (CEWS claim period 8).
Ontario Introduces Temporary Funding Relief for Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Sponsors of defined benefit (DB) pension plans registered in Ontario have been given significant temporary contribution relief as part of the Ontario government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 21, 2020, Ontario Regulation 520/20 (Regulation) was filed. The Regulation amends Regulation 909 made under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (PBA) to permit temporary contribution deferral for certain eligible DB pension plans, and extend the time over which catch-up contributions following the filing of a new valuation report must be made.
Chambers Canada 2021 Guide Recognizes Hicks Morley for Employment & Labour and Pensions & Benefits
Hicks Morley has once again been recognized as a leading law firm in the Chambers Canada 2021 guide for Employment & Labour (Ontario and Nationwide) and Pensions & Benefits (Nationwide). The firm receives praise for being a “high-quality law firm” whose lawyers provide “very detailed, very thoughtful strategic advice on labour and employment law.”