Certain Old Age Security Amendments Contained in Federal Budget Bill Now in Force

The federal government has fixed March 1, 2013 as the day sections 449, 450 and 453 of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act (“JGLPA”) come into force. These sections amend the Old Age Security Act to provide for automatic enrolment of eligible persons for Old Age Security (“OAS”) pensions, to allow an eligible person…

Rules Amending Federal Courts Rules Registered

On February 8, 2013, the federal government registered Rules Amending the Federal Courts Rules (“Rules”). The Rules are the result of a consultation process and are housekeeping in nature. Among other things, the Rules give greater flexibility to the Chief Justice to schedule motions days, specify formatting requirements for documents, set out exceptions to general…

British Columbia Introduces PRPP Legislation

On February 28, 2013, the government of British Columbia introduced Bill 16, Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act. If passed, Bill 16 would authorize pooled registered pension plans (“PRPPs”) to be made available to provincially-regulated employees and self-employed persons in British Columbia, subject to the requirements set out in the federal Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act…

Regulation under Section 80.1 of the Pension Benefits Act Proposed

The Ontario government has proposed a new regulation relating to pension asset transfers made under section 80.1 of the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”). Proposed content for this regulation was previously posted for consultation in July 2011. This regulation is required before section 80.1 of the Act comes into effect. Once proclaimed into force, that section…

Certain Education Act Regulations Revoked

On January 25, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 38/13 made under the Education Act. The Regulation revokes the following regulations made under the Education Act, effective January 25, 2013: Regulation 287 of R.R.O. 1990 – Designation of School Divisions Regulation 288 of R.R.O. 1990 – Designation of Support Staff Regulation 289 of R.R.O….

Regulatory Changes to 2013-2014 Professional Activity Days Filed under Education Act

On January 21, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 13/13, amending Regulation 304, School Year Calendar, Professional Activity Days, made under the Education Act. Among other things, O. Reg. 13/13 amends subsection 2(3.1) (requirement that every school year shall include a minimum of 194 school days as designated) to add that for the school…