On February 1, 2012, Bill C-25, An Act relating to pooled registered pension plans and making related amendments to other Acts passed at Second Reading in the House of Commons, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance. As previously reported, Bill C-25 is new legislation implementing the framework for federally regulated PRPPs, and…
Practice Area: Pensions, Benefits & Compensation
Federal Court of Appeal Interprets Term “Fixed or Ascertainable” for CPP Purposes
On November 16, 2011, the Federal Court of Appeal (“FCA”) released its decision in Minister of National Revenue v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario (“HMQ”). The FCAs decision overturns the January 17, 2011 decision of the Tax Court of Canada (“Tax Court”) in which it had held that per diem amounts paid…
Pension and Benefits: Managing Change (Accredited)
MATERIALS 2011 was another year of twists and turns for pension and benefits plan sponsors and administrators. Reform initiatives continued to be rolled out across the country and Canadian Courts and Tribunals delivered a number of significant pension and benefits decisions that could impact your future practices and decision-making. In this session, we will:…
Hicks Morley Named in 2012 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide
Hicks Morley is pleased to announce it has been ranked as the leading law firm in the Labor Relations and Pensions category according to the 2012 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. Practice groups included in this category are Employment Law, Labour Relations (Construction Sector), Occupational Health & Safety, Pensions &…
2012 Car Expense Benefit Rates, Deduction Limits Set
On December 29, 2011, the federal government announced automobile expense deduction limits and the prescribed rates for the automobile operating expense benefits that will apply in 2012. A number of deduction limits will remain the same, including: the existing, $30,000 capital cost allowance (“CCA”) ceiling with respect to passenger vehicles used for business purposes; the…
Small Biz Advisor Publishes an Article by Susie Taing
An article by Hicks Morley’s Susie Taing was published in the December 28, 2011 edition of Small Biz Advisor. In the article entitled, “A legal review of 2011“, Susie discusses the changes over the past year in the pension and benefits industry. View Article
CPP Amendments – New Requirements for Employer-Paid Disability Benefits
On December 15, 2011, Bill C-13, Keeping Canada’s Economy and Jobs Growing Act received Royal Assent. Bill C-13 is omnibus legislation designed to implement a number of measures proposed in the federal government’s 2011 Budget. This FTR Now discusses one aspect of Bill C-13 that amends the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and creates new requirements…
Changes to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP): Important Information For Employers
Changes to required employer deductions for CPP contributions are coming into effect on January 1, 2012. This FTR Now reviews these changes to the CPP. NO WORK INTERRUPTION As of January 1, 2012, employees will no longer be required to either stop working or reduce their earnings in order to receive their CPP pension. As…
CPP Post-Retirement Benefit Elections Established
The federal government filed a regulatory amendment to the Canada Pension Plan Regulations which prescribes the manner of employee elections (or revocations) regarding the new Post-Retirement Benefit (“PRB”), which will be available under the Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”), effective January 1, 2012. The amendment was first proposed in October of 2011, as previously reported.
Ontario Enhances Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund (“PBGF”)
On December 21, 2011, the Ontario government announced changes to the Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund (“PBGF”) that will become effective January 1, 2012. The enhancements to the PBGF were introduced with Phase II of Ontario’s pension reform and the passage of Bill 120, Securing Pension Benefits Now and for the Future Act, 2010, and are…