TTC “Essential Service” Legislation Ordered for Third Reading

On March 24, 2011, Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, was reported without amendment from the Standing Committee on General Government and ordered for Third Reading.  As previously reported, Bill 150 is proposed legislation that would designate the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service and provide for binding arbitration by…

Federal Mandatory Reporting of Internet Child Pornography Bill Receives Royal Assent

On March 23, 2011, Bill C-22, an Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill C-22  imposes a mandatory duty on persons providing an “internet service” (a service providing internet access, e-mail or internet content hosting) to the public to…

Federal 2011 Budget Introduced

On March 22, 2011, the federal government introduced its 2011 Budget “A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth”.  Highlights in the Budget of interest to employers include: elimination of the mandatory retirement age for federally regulated employees volunteer firefighters tax credit anti-avoidance rules for RRSPs increase in EI premiums limited to 5 cents in 2011…

Québec proposes stronger retirement income system

On March 17, 2011, the Québec government tabled its 2011-2012 Budget. The Budget proposed, among other things, to strengthen Québec’s retirement income system by: making adjustments to the Québec Pension Plan, as of January 1, 2012, to guarantee a new basic income to Québecers at retirement; and undertaking to implement new Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans…

Affordable Housing Legislation (Bill 140) Passes Second Reading

On March 8, 2011, Bill 140, Strong Communities Through Affordable Housing Act, carried at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. Bill 140 would, if passed, repeal the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 and enact the Housing Services Act, 2010. The legislation relates to the provision of housing and…

Good Government Bill Passes Third Reading

On March 7, 2011, Bill 110, the Good Government Act, was carried at Third Reading. As previously reported, Bill 110 is omnibus legislation that would, if passed, make a number of amendments to various Acts, including several employment-related statutes. The Bill should be consulted for coming into force information.

TTC “Essential Service” Legislation Passes Second Reading, Referred to Committee

On March 8, 2011, Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, carried at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. As previously reported, Bill 150 is proposed legislation that would designate the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service and provide for binding arbitration by a…

Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Introduced

On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government introduced Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 (PDF). The proposed Bill 160 amendments, which are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety, would significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”), by:…

Draft Pension Regulations (Asset Division on Marriage Breakdown) Posted for Public Comment

On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government posted draft regulations under Bill 133, the Family Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009, and a related Consultation Paper for public review and comment. Among other family law-related matters, Bill 133 amends the Pension Benefits Act and creates new rules governing both: (1) the valuation of pension assets by…