On September 11, 2014, the federal government announced the introduction of the Small Business Job Credit (“Credit”), which is intended to provide tax relief for small employers. The Credit effectively lowers the Employment Insurance (“EI”) premium rate for eligible businesses from the current, legislated rate of $1.88, to $1.60 per $100 of insurable earnings in…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
New Alberta Employment Pension Plans Act Regulation
On July 22, 2014 the Alberta government enacted a supporting regulation to that province’s Employment Pension Plans Act (the “Act”), legislation enacted in December 2012 following recommendations from the Joint Expert Panel on Pension Standards. The Act and the new Employment Pension Plans Regulation will come into force on September 1, 2014. A government summary…
Ontario Passes Budget Bill, Adjourns
On July 24, 2014, the Ontario government passed Bill 14, Building Opportunity and Securing Our Future Act (Budget Measures), 2014, and the House adjourned for the summer break. It will resume sitting in October. More information on Bill 14 and its impact on your organization is available in our FTR Now of July 17, 2014, “Ontario…
Ontario Reintroduces Legislation Amending Workplace Laws (Formerly Bill 146)
On July 16, 2014, the Ontario government introduced Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 (“Bill 18”), proposed legislation that would, if passed, make significant changes to a number of employment-related statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act,…
Ontario Reintroduces Healthcare Reform Legislation to Enhance Patient Care, Pharmacy Safety
On July 22, 2014, the Ontario government introduced Bill 21, the Safeguarding Health Care Integrity Act, 2014 (“Bill 21”). In part, the amendments outlined in Bill 21 reintroduce healthcare reform measures first proposed in Bill 117, Enhancing Patient Care and Pharmacy Safety (Statute Law Amendment) Act, 2013, which had not been passed before the June election….
Ontario Government Re-Introduces Budget 2014, New Budget Bill
On July 14, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced its 2014 Budget, entitled Building Opportunity, Securing Our Future (the “Budget”). On the same day, it tabled Bill 14, Building Opportunity and Securing Our Future Act (Budget Measures), 2014. The amendments outlined in Bill 14 are similar, but not identical, to measures proposed in the May 2014 Budget Bill…
Ontario Re-Introduces Education Act amendments in New Child Care Oversight Bill (Formerly Bill 143)
On July 10, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced omnibus legislation that would substantially reform the education system in Ontario. If passed, Bill 10, the Child Care Modernization Act, 2014, would enact the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, amend the Education Act and the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, and repeal the Day Nurseries…
Ontario Re-Introduces BPS Accountability, Transparency Legislation (Formerly Bill 179)
On July 8, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced broader public sector (“BPS”) accountability and transparency legislation. If passed, proposed measures in Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, identified in the government’s press release would, among other matters: authorize the government to directly control compensation of senior executives in the BPS by…
Education Act Regulatory Amendments Filed (Full Day Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten and Extended Day/Third Party Programs)
O. Reg. 137/14 (Full Day Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten), amending O. Reg. 224/10 made under the Education Act, was filed on June 26, 2014. O. Reg. 137/14 adds a definition of “French immersion” and sets out specific circumstances in which a board is not required to operate full day junior kindergarten or full day kindergarten. O….
Government Employees Compensation Act Third Party Claim Amendments in Force as of June 13, 2014
The federal government has fixed June 13, 2014 as the date that Division 20 of Part 4 of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act (“Act”) comes into force. Among other things, Division 20 of Part 4 of the Act amends the Government Employees Compensation Act (“GECA”) with respect to the administration of third party claims by…