On May 27, 2019, the federal Department of Finance announced proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) (ITA), to facilitate the conversion of existing Health and Welfare Trusts (HWTs) into Employee Life and Health Trusts (ELHTs), and to improve the existing ELHT rules. Comments on the proposed ITA amendments are invited by July 31, 2019…
Publication Name: FTR Now
Advanced Planning Required for New Changes to OMERS
Since we first reported on the recently adopted changes to the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) to eliminate the 35-year cap on credited service; and expand the normal retirement age 60 opportunity to paramedic employee groups.
Changes to Ontario’s Annuity Purchase and Discharge Rules – Bill 57 Amendments and Draft Supporting Regulations
New draft regulations support and provide additional details respecting the rules governing annuity purchases and related statutory discharges under the Pension Benefits Act. Learn more in this FTR Now.
Ontario’s New Variable Benefits Regime for Defined Contribution Plans – Draft Regulations
With the release of draft regulations, Ontario moves a step closer to allowing variable benefits to be paid directly from defined contribution pension plans.
Federal Government Tables 2019 Budget Bill
On April 8, 2019, the federal government introduced Bill C-97, Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1, for first reading. Bill C-97 is omnibus legislation enacting certain measures outlined in the 2019 Federal Budget. Below are some of the key amendments of interest to employers, pension plan administrators and human resources professionals.
Ontario Budget 2019: Protecting What Matters Most – Key Human Resources Highlights
On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its 2019 Budget, Protecting What Matters Most (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 100, the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 (Bill 100).
The Budget outlines key initiatives around broader public sector compensation, reforms within the healthcare sector, registered pension plans, freedom of information, and more. In this FTR Now, we highlight the proposals that are of particular interest to employers, benefits plan administrators and human resources professionals.
Important Changes to Policing in Ontario
By Glenn Christie
With the passage of Bill 68, Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 (Act), on March 26, 2019, policing in Ontario is set to undergo some important changes. These changes are not limited in their effect to police service boards, police associations and individuals who work in policing. They are also very important for municipalities and the wider community.
Federal Budget 2019 – Something for (Almost) Everyone?
On March 19, 2019, the federal government tabled its 2019 Budget, “Investing in the Middle Class.” This is an election year, and there is a wide array of initiatives sprinkled throughout the Budget, covering many groups and sectors. There is something for (almost) everyone. In this FTR Now, we focus on the key employment, labour, executive compensation, pension and employee benefits announcements of most interest to employers, human resources professionals, plan sponsors and administrators.
Ontario Announces Significant Health Care Reform
On February 26, 2019 the Ontario government tabled Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, which includes the introduction of the Connecting Care Act, 2019. If passed, the legislation will allow for the creation of a central agency, Ontario Health, to oversee the health care system across the province, as well as the creation of integrated care delivery systems. In this FTR Now we provide an overview of the proposed legislation, with an emphasis on the labour and employment implications for health service providers.
Ontario Tables Health Care Reform Legislation
On February 26, 2019, the Ontario government tabled Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, 2019, which proposes significant changes to Ontario’s health care system.