Federal Budget Implementation Bill Introduced (C-38)

On April 26, 2012, the federal government introduced Bill C-38, Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, omnibus legislation intended to give effect to certain key initiatives outlined in its Budget 2012. Among other matters, Bill C-38 would, if passed, amend Part I of the Canada Labour Code (“Code”) to require each party to a collective…

2012 Federal Budget – Highlights For Employers

On March 29, 2012, the federal government tabled its 2012 Budget, Economic Action Plan 2012 – A Plan for Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity. As widely anticipated, the Budget alters the retirement landscape for many Canadians and announces cost-cutting measures and reform of the federal public service. It also proposes certain tax reform measures, and…

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…

Federal Court of Appeal Interprets Term “Fixed or Ascertainable” for CPP Purposes

On November 16, 2011, the Federal Court of Appeal (“FCA”) released its decision in Minister of National Revenue v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario (“HMQ”). The FCA’s decision overturns the January 17, 2011 decision of the Tax Court of Canada (“Tax Court”) in which it had held that per diem amounts paid…

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…

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.

Supreme Court of Canada Upholds Finding of Wage Discrimination

In a federal sector pay equity complaint that stretched on for nearly 30 years, the Supreme Court of Canada has upheld a finding of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal of gender-based wage discrimination. The result is an order to compensate employees for lost wages over a 20 year period. This FTR Now discusses the Supreme…

Pooled Registered Pension Plan Framework Introduced

On November 17, 2011, the federal government introduced the much anticipated Bill C-25, An Act relating to pooled registered pension plans and making related amendments to other Acts, also known as the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act (the “PRPP Act”). The proposed legislation follows high-profile consultations with the provinces and the industry, which resulted in…