The Ontario government has announced that effective March 1, 2012, Ministry of Labour inspectors are targeting high-risk construction trades in a month-long safety blitz intended to protect workers from preventable workplace injuries. Inspectors will visit construction projects employing workers in high-rise formwork, low-rise formwork and masonry, siding and built-up roofing work, and specifically check that:…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Legislative Assembly Resumes Sitting
On February 21, 2012, the House resumed sitting.
BPS Solvency Funding Relief Regulation Amended
On February 17, 2012, the Ontario government filed an amendment to O. Reg. 178/11 (Solvency Funding Relief For Certain Public Sector Pension Plans) under the Pension Benefits Act. O. Reg. 12/12 prescribes those plans that have successfully applied for and, are receiving, solvency funding relief under O. Reg. 178/11. The Regulation is now in force….
Drummond Commission Reports on Public Service Reform
On February 15, 2012, the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services (“Commission”) chaired by Don Drummond released its long-awaited report (“Drummond Report”) identifying wide-ranging reform measures aimed at increasing efficiencies within the broader public service. In June of 2011, the Ontario government tasked the Commission with the examination of its service delivery models,…
Federal Pooled Registered Pension Plan (“PRPP”) Legislation Referred to Committee
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…
Ontario Human Rights Code Independent Review: Consultation Paper Published
As part of the independent, mandated review of the changes resulting from the enactment of amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) which came into effect June 30, 2008, a consultation paper has been published which identifies key issues and points for discussion for the public consultation process which will take place in…
Mandatory WSIB Coverage for Construction Industry To Commence January 1, 2013
Effective January 1, 2013, amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 outlined in Bill 119, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2008 will extend mandatory WSIB coverage to certain persons in the construction industry. These amendments will apply, with certain exceptions, to independent operators who carry on business in construction, and to…
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…
Mandatory Reporting of Internet Child Pornography Bill, Regulations Come Into Force (C-22)
On December 8, 2011, Bill C-22, an Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service, came into force, along with supporting regulations. The Internet Child Pornography Reporting Regulations provide the enabling framework for the legislation. It names the designated organization (Canadian Centre for Child Protection) for the…
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.